Summary-
The Buddha’s enlightenment is depicted through the form of Shakyamuni Buddha, symbolizing wisdom and spiritual awakening. His statues are characterized by the 32 Mahapurusha Lakshanas, such as the ushnisha and urna. The Middle Path and historical Buddhist art reflect his teachings, influencing cultural traditions and spiritual practices across the world. In this blog, we look at the stories behind the popular statues of Buddha, the development of Buddha icons, and the meaning and teachings behind his iconography.
"Believe nothing, O monks, merely because you have been told it... or because it is traditional, or because you yourselves have imagined it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings -- that doctrine believes and cling to, and take it as your guide."
Enlightenment of the Buddha- the transformation of prince Siddhartha into Gautama Buddha is a cosmic event in the Buddhist tradition. Beginning from his Three Great Sights, the inward spiritual journey of the Buddha ended with Enlightenment while the journey of Buddhism as a sect began from that moment onward.
Various aesthetically designed statues of the Buddha are used by his followers as visual narrations of his enlightened state which is depicted through the 32 markers of Great Men or Mahapurusha on his body, gleaming and perfected physical features, half-opened eyes to show a state of meditative calm, monastic drapes, and a platform of blooming lotus which is a symbol of Enlightened mind.
Although, all the statues of the Buddha speak of his enlightenment and wisdom, including the symbols such as a lotus and wheel (Dhamma chakra), three statues of the Buddha are more strongly related to his journey to the absolute heights of consciousness.
In Buddhism, the form of Buddha associated with enlightenment is Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Shakyamuni Buddha. Shakyamuni Buddha is considered the historical Buddha who attained enlightenment and taught the path to liberation from suffering to his disciples. It is believed that he achieved enlightenment after years of meditation and spiritual practice under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India.
His teachings, known as the Dharma, form the basis of Buddhism and are aimed at helping individuals achieve enlightenment and end the cycle of rebirth. Dharma is a key concept in Buddhism and forms the basis of the religion. The word "dharma" refers to the teachings of the Buddha, as well as the natural laws and principles that govern the universe.
The above mentioned quote by Shakyamuni Buddha emphasizes the importance of using critical thinking and personal examination to discern truth rather than blindly accepting ideas based on tradition or authority. He urges his followers not to believe something simply because they were told to, or because it is a commonly held belief or tradition.
Instead, he encourages them to examine and analyze teachings and beliefs, and only accept those that are beneficial for all beings and lead to the greater good. The Buddha's teachings emphasize the importance of individual responsibility and self-discovery in the path towards enlightenment.
By questioning and examining beliefs, one can gain a deeper understanding of reality and develop a clearer sense of what is truly beneficial for oneself and others. Ultimately, the Buddha teaches that the path to enlightenment requires a willingness to challenge one's assumptions and beliefs, and to seek truth through direct personal experience and introspection.
According to Buddhist tradition, Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment after years of spiritual practice and meditation. Here is a chronological account of the Buddha's journey towards enlightenment:
👉🏿 Early Life : Siddhartha Gautama was born in the 6th century BCE in Lumbini, Nepal. He was raised in a wealthy family and was sheltered from the suffering and hardships of the outside world. However, at the age of 29, he began to question the meaning of life and sought answers beyond the confines of his palace.
👉🏿 Renunciation : Siddhartha left his palace and renounced his privileged life in search of spiritual enlightenment. He became an ascetic and joined a group of wandering mendicants, who practiced extreme self-mortification in the belief that it would lead to spiritual liberation. Dharma provides a framework for ethical behavior in Buddhism. The Five Precepts, which are guidelines for moral conduct, are part of the Buddha's dharma. They include refraining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxication.
👉🏿 Meditation : After practicing extreme self-mortification for six years, Siddhartha became disillusioned with this approach and turned to meditation as a means of achieving enlightenment. He sat under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, and vowed to meditate until he attained enlightenment.
👉🏿 The Four Noble Truths : During his meditation, Siddhartha came to understand the Four Noble Truths, which form the foundation of Buddhist philosophy. These truths are: the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering.
👉🏿 The Middle Way : Siddhartha also came to understand the importance of the Middle Way, a path between the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification. He realized that true enlightenment could not be achieved through either extreme, but rather through a balanced and moderate approach to life.
👉🏿 The Three Watches of the Night : On the night of the full moon in May, after 49 days of meditation, Siddhartha achieved enlightenment. This experience is described in the "Three Watches of the Night," during which he gained insight into the nature of reality, the workings of karma and rebirth, and the path to liberation from suffering.
👉🏿 The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path : After attaining enlightenment, Siddhartha became known as the Buddha, or "enlightened one." He spent the rest of his life teaching others about the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, a set of ethical and practical guidelines for achieving enlightenment.
The Middle Path, or Madhyama Marga, is one of the most popular philosophical contributions of the Buddha, not only in Buddhism but across the world as a practical and effective way to achieve the ideal life. It is a path of balance, steering away from the two extremes of self-indulgence and severe asceticism. This realization came to Siddhartha Gautama after years of rigorous penance and self-mortification, which brought him to the brink of death but did not yield the answers he sought.
The Middle Path is the foundation of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which form the essence of Buddhist philosophy. It teaches that:
☛ Indulgence in sensual pleasures leads to attachment and suffering.
☛ Extreme asceticism and self-denial weaken the body and mind, preventing clarity and wisdom.
☛ Balance and moderation cultivate inner peace, self-awareness, and wisdom.
This path is best understood through the Eightfold Path, which consists of:
☛ Right View (Samma Ditthi) – Understanding the Four Noble Truths.
☛ Right Intention (Samma Sankappa) – Developing thoughts of renunciation, goodwill, and compassion.
☛ Right Speech (Samma Vaca) – Speaking truthfully and avoiding harmful words.
☛ Right Action (Samma Kammanta) – Living ethically by avoiding harm, stealing, and misconduct.
☛ Right Livelihood (Samma Ajiva) – Earning a living in a way that aligns with Buddhist principles.
☛ Right Effort (Samma Vayama) – Making continuous efforts to cultivate good and abandon negative states.
☛ Right Mindfulness (Samma Sati) – Developing awareness of body, feelings, mind, and thoughts.
☛ Right Concentration (Samma Samadhi) – Practicing deep meditation leads to higher states of consciousness.
Buddhist tradition describes the Buddha as ornamented with 32 Mahapurusha Lakshanas, or "Great Man" features, which represent his divine wisdom and spiritual attainment. These markers, detailed in ancient Buddhist texts, highlight the spiritual power and exceptional nature of an enlightened being. Some of the most prominent features include:
☛ The raised protuberance on Buddha’s head symbolizes his boundless wisdom.
☛ It represents an expanded consciousness, an attribute unique to the enlightened ones.
☛ A spiral or circular mark between the eyebrows is depicted as a small protrusion or a jewel-like spot in sculptures.
☛ Represents the Buddha’s ability to see beyond the material world into realms of deeper truth.
☛ The elongated earlobes, a remnant of his princely past when he wore heavy gold earrings, symbolize renunciation.
☛ They serve as a reminder that material possessions and status are temporary.
☛ Buddha’s eyes are neither fully open nor completely closed, reflecting his deep meditative state.
☛ This signifies a perfect balance between awareness of the world and detachment from its illusions.
☛ His feet are described as soft and smooth, with a wheel (Dharma Chakra) imprinted on the soles.
☛ This signifies that wherever he walks, he leaves a path of wisdom and enlightenment.
☛ Many Buddhist texts mention the Buddha’s luminous golden complexion, symbolizing his divine radiance and spiritual purity.
☛ In artistic depictions, Buddha statues are often made with golden finishes to represent this sacred attribute.
These physical features are not just symbolic but are an ancient part of Buddhist art and iconography, influencing how Buddha statues have been sculpted across different cultures and historical periods and how modern collectors and devotees choose a Buddha statue for their home.
In the statues of Buddha, we see adorning the homes, meditation spaces, and museums, it is these features that combined create a timelessly familiar but transcendental atmosphere, that makes the statue feel sacred and otherworldly.
Buddha statues have evolved over time, reflecting the artistic and cultural traditions of the regions where Buddhism spread. The artistic depiction of the Buddha transitioned from early aniconic symbols (such as the Bodhi tree, footprints, and Dharma wheel) to fully anthropomorphic representations.
☛ The earliest Buddhist art refrained from depicting the Buddha in human form.
☛ Instead, symbols like the empty throne, footprints, the Bodhi tree, and the wheel of Dharma represented his presence and teachings.
☛ This phase is best seen in Mauryan and early Sunga-period art in India.
☛ The Gandhara school of art, influenced by Greco-Roman styles, created Buddha statues with draped robes, wavy hair, and serene expressions.
☛ The Mathura school, in contrast, developed a more Indianized style, with a stronger build, bare-chested figures, and a greater emphasis on symbolic gestures (mudras).
☛ The first representations of Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra (Earth Touching Gesture) date back to this period.
☛ The Gupta period perfected the idealized Buddha image, with smooth, rounded features, subtle expressions, and a meditative calm.
☛ Sculptures from this period, such as those from Sarnath, are considered the epitome of grace and spiritual depth.
☛ Buddha statues from this era served as the blueprint for Buddhist art across Asia.
☛ As Buddhism spread to China, Tibet, Southeast Asia, and Japan, the depiction of the Buddha assimilated local artistic traditions.
☛ In China, Buddha statues acquired a more serene and rounder appearance, while in Thailand, they became slimmer with elongated features.
☛ The iconic giant Buddha statues of Japan, such as the Great Buddha of Nara, symbolize compassion and enlightenment on a monumental scale.
☛ Today, Buddha statues continue to be made from bronze, stone, wood, and even precious metals, often adorned with gold leaf or semi-precious stones.
☛ They remain a symbol of peace, wisdom, and spiritual awakening, inspiring millions around the world.
Among the many statues of Buddha that resonate with his followers and art collectors, three are the most popular ones, seen more often and revered as classic representations of Buddha’s wisdom and power.
Out of these three, the statue of Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra represents moments before the Buddha reached the enlightened state when the meditating Buddha was challenged by Mara and his army, whom he defeated with a gentle touch of the earth, which is why it is taken as the sculptural summarizing of the moment when everything changed, within and outside Buddha.
Let us take a closer look at these three mesmerizing statues of the Enlightened One, their artistic qualities, and their spiritual meanings.
31" Superfine Buddha in Dhyana Mudra| Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax) | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai
The statue of Buddha in meditation or Dhyana mudra is a simple and equally mesmerizing presentation of Buddha’s personality. The ascetic attitude of the Buddha is highlighted by the single piece of monastic robe wrapped around him, the stability embodied in his form, and his meditative eyes. The half-closed or half-opened eyes underline the state of balance achievable in meditation, where a person is present in the world and yet aloof from it.
The curled hair of the Buddha, his cranial bump, the tuft of hair between his eyebrows, perfect features, and drooping earlobes remind us of Buddha’s royal roots (when he used to wear heavy jeweled earrings) which he severed to gain spiritual awakening. Sitting on a bloomed lotus which represents enlightenment in Buddhism, Buddha becomes enlightened incarnate in a Meditating Buddha statue.
22" Bhumisparsha Buddha Seated on Pedestal in Brass | Handmade | Made in India
The earth in Indian religion is mother, she is omnipresent and the eternal witness to everything. When the meditating Buddha was inches away from Enlightenment, he was attacked by the forces of Mara (literally death), a demon in Buddhism who is symbolic of worldly desires, of links that keep us tied to our basal nature.
When force and allure of beauty did not work on the meditating Buddha, Mara posed to him the question- “What makes you worthy of this throne, this Vajrasana (Diamond Throne), which was graced by Enlightened Beings before you?” At that moment, the Buddha did not utter an expression. He just touched the earth softly and Mara was answered by goddess Earth herself, who stood witness to Buddha’s journey to Enlightenment.
Mara’s neck drooped with defeat and Buddha’s wisdom roared, without him saying a word. Due to this glorious victory of the Buddha over Mara, statues of Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra are also known as “Buddha Mara-Vijaya”- Buddha who emerged triumphant over Mara.
With one hand in his lap in the gesture of meditation and the other reaching down to touch the earth, Buddha in Earth Touching gesture is a reminder to his followers that enlightenment comes only from giving up the worldly pleasures that lead only to pain. It is only by defeating the armies of Mara around us- anger, lust, jealousy that we can reach Buddha who awaits the moment of awakening, within us.
67" Dharmachakra Pravartana buddha | Handmade | Brass Statue | Made In India
Buddha with his hands in the Dhammachakra Pravartan mudra (gesture of turning the wheel of Dhamma) or simply Vitarka mudra (gesture of teaching) is how statues show the preaching of Dhamma by the Enlightened One. Buddha’s first sermon given at Sarnath commenced the tradition of Buddhism, which grew from five students to numerous followers across the globe.
Buddha sits on a lotus seat, or with his legs crossed in Padmasana (lotus posture) associated with meditation and enlightenment, and emanates a divine serenity while he distributes pearls of wisdom. As a form related to the immediate aftermath of attainment of “Bodhi” or pure wisdom, Buddha preaching Dhamma is a magnificent form associated with the Enlightenment of the Universal Master.
Buddha’s quest for the true meaning of human life and the questions that arose from seeing sickness, death, and asceticism were answered when he attained Enlightenment. With his transformation from Siddhartha to Buddha, the world received the gem of the Middle Path or Madhyama Marga, which showed people how to achieve their highest selves without any extreme trials.
The lotus of Buddha’s consciousness blossomed with the episode of his Enlightenment, whose fragrance continues to enchant and guide seekers of true knowledge. It is to remember, celebrate, and with conscious efforts, relive Buddha’s enlightenment in our lives, that these statues of Buddha are needed.
As a blissful and profound reminder of the prince who became the source of supreme wisdom for millions, artistic representations of Buddha’s enlightenment are perfect additions to your space. Browse Exotic India Art’s handpicked collection of handmade Buddha statues in pure brass, bronze, marble, and wood, and find your favorite icon of the iconic enlightened being.
Conclusion
The statues of Buddha are a symbol of calm wisdom, one that does not shout but whispers the truth of human existence to those who meditate and listen closely. The presence of Buddha in Indian art is as old as the history of Indian iconography, with small icons of the Enlightened One and large, humongous sculptures of standing Buddha made with intricate details, inspiring devotees and artists all over the world.
At Exotic India, there awaits a collection of metal, stone, and wood statues of Buddha based on the ancient iconography of Tathagata, each statue an epic of his journey that moves and guides us all.
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