Notes on Buddhist Iconography
VIDYA SCHALK
Some Basic Iconographic Elements of Buddha Images Iconography is the study of the imagery or symbolism of a work of art. As you come to understand how to read the iconography of a work of art you will better understand the message that the work conveys. In Asian art, divine images, or icons, of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and other divine or semi-divine beings, are typically represented in a frontal, static and symmetrical way. The icon communicates to the viewer through a symbolic, pictorial language of postures, gestures, bodily marks, and associated objects. Every icon carries with it a set of symbols from this pictorial language, which conveys to the viewer the meaning of the icon.
Signs of this pictorial language include: -- Sacred bodily marks of the Buddha (laksana) -- Posture of sitting body (asana). -- Posture of standing (sthana) -- Position of the hands (mudra). -- Position of the arms (hasta) -- Sacred Buddhist Symbols -- Attributes -- objects held by or belonging to the figure These symbols serve to differentiate individual Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and other divine or quasi-divine beings and denote an entire catalogue of associations that assist the worshiper in understanding the image.
These notes will help understand the symbols of mudra, asana, laksana (lakshana), Sacred Buddhist Symbols and attributes. As you become more familiar with images of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and other beings your ability to decode these visual symbols will make it possible for you to precisely identify the subjects of Buddhist works of art through history all across this museum and see how has changed over time and space and what has remained the same.
Lakshanas or the Marks of Great Person or Sacred marks • • • •
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The term lakshanas refers to an auspicious sign or sacred mark. These are specific physical characteristics and marks or signs on the body. Lakshana are particularly associated with the Buddha, and there are considered to be 32 greater and 80 lesser bodily marks or features on the Buddha's body. Some of the 32 major signs can be shared by Bodhisattvas and sometimes by chakravartins (universal kings). Some of these symbolize aspects of the Buddha's spiritual character whilst others draw attention to the concept that his beautiful and perfectly proportioned body is an outer reflection of inner spiritual power. These are drawn from the ancient Indian concept of the Mahapurusha or 'Cosmic Being'.
According to the Lakkhanssutta of the Pali canon, the 32 major Lakshanas are: 1. Well-placed flat-footed feet 2. Chakra -Mark of the Wheel of Law on soles of feet or palms of hands 3. Soles and palms more tender and soft than in most people 4. Long toes and fingers 5. Webbed fingers and toes 6. Feet well set on the ground 7. Ankle bones that are hardly noticeable 8. Lower legs like those of an antelope 9. Body frame tall and straight 10. Arms that reach to the knees when standing 11. Genitalia withdrawn
Notes on Buddhist Iconography VIDYA SCHALK 12. Hairs on the head and arranged in soft curls that point to the right 13. Hairs of the body point upwards. 14. Skin smooth and delicate 15. Skin golden. (According to legend the Buddha was born with limbs that shone like the sun) 16. Seven special features: 2 broad heels 2 broad hands 2 broad shoulder blades Broad neck
17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32.
Torso like a lion Shoulders gently curved Chest wide Body circumference has proportions of a fig tree Cheeks like a lion 40 teeth rather than the normal 32 Teeth have no gaps Teeth are equal in size Very white teeth An excellent sense of taste A long tongue that can reach his ears A strong and attractive voice like that of the Hindu god Brahma Eyes the color of sapphire Long eyelashes Tuft of hair or third eye between his eyebrows (urna). This symbolizes spiritual insight
A bump on the top of the head known as ushnisha which symbolizes wisdom and spirituality and his attainment of enlightenment.
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Although many of these lakshanas cannot be portrayed in artistic representations there are several marks and standards that have come to characterize a Buddha image. Briefly these are: o Chakras (02) (wheels -- specifically, the Wheel of Law) soles and palms o His fingers and toes may be webbed, (05) o Perfect proportions--(09, 17, 18, & 19) o Long arms that reach down to his knees (10) o His gold-colored skin (15) often seen in paintings by the use of gold pigment o Urna: (31) "wool" a mark or whorl of hair on the forehead or between the eyebrows. o Usnisha (32): a"crown" a bun of hair or sometimes called a "cranial protuberance" which is considered to be a sign of his attainment or Enlightenment.
Non-Lakshana -- Other auspicious markings may be seen on the palms of his hands and the soles of his upturned feet. -- Pristine mask-like appearance: The Buddhas are held to be one hundred times more attractive than humans. This has resulted in portraying Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and others as having masklike, almost metallic, facial features. -- May have a srivatasa (endless knot) sign on chest. -- Elongated earlobes: These are an indication of the Buddha's existence as a human prince before his renunciation and subsequent attainment of enlightenment. As a typical Indian prince Siddhartha Gautama was accustomed to wearing much jewelry, including heavy earrings, which eventually stretched out his earlobes. Although he gave up the wearing of any jewelry upon taking up the life of a wandering ascetic, the elongated earlobes remain. OTHER symbolism
Notes on Buddhist Iconography • Triratna, ( Sanskrit: “Three Jewels”)
VIDYA SCHALK
Pali Ti-ratana, also called Threefold Refuge, in Buddhism the Triratna comprises the Buddha, the Dharma (doctrine, or teaching), and the Sangha (the monastic order, or community). One becomes a Buddhist by saying the words “I go to the Buddha for refuge, I go to the Doctrine for refuge, I go to the Order for refuge.”
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Mandala (Sanskrit: Maṇḍala, 'circle') is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the Universe. The mandala represents the nature of experience, and the intricacies of both the enlightened and confused mind.
ASANAS AND MUDRAS
Asana: Raja-lilasana: Lalitasana: Vajrasana :
Posture of Royal ease Posture of relaxation, languid and relaxed (Bodhisattva’s) Full lotus position (padmasana), diamond (vajra) pose
Notes on Buddhist Iconography Virasana :
VIDYA SCHALK
Half lotus position (ardha padmasana), Vira (hero) pose
The most important Mudras are: Vitarka Mudra: Dharmachakra Mudra: Abhaya Mudra: Bhumisparsha Mudra: Dhyani Mudra: Varada Mudra: Kataka Mudra: Namaskara or Anjali Mudra: Ahvana Mudra:
Gesture of Teaching Gesture of turning the wheel of the teaching Gesture of fearlessness and granting protection Gesture of touching the earth (also known as Maravijaya Mudra) Gesture of meditation Gesture of granting wishes Flower holding gesture Gesture of greeting and veneration Gesture of calling or invitation
BUDDHIST SYMBOLS AND THEIR MEANINGS:
Notes on Buddhist Iconography
VIDYA SCHALK
1.
Parasol (chattra)
- royalty and spiritual power
2.
Golden Fishes (suvarnamatsya)
- good fortune, fertility and salvation
3.
Treasure Vase (kalasha)
- spiritual and material abundance
4.
Lotus (padma)
- mental and spiritual purity
5.
Conch Shell (sankha)
- the fame of Buddha's teachings
6.
Endless Knot (shrivasta)
- infinite wisdom of the Buddha
7.
Victory Banner (dhvaja)
- victory of the Buddha's teachings and wisdom over ignorance
8.
Wheel (dharmachakra)
- the teachings of the Buddha, reminder of the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.