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MuchBuddhist art depicts the historical Buddha,Gautama Buddha, in forms known asBuddharūpa (lit. 'Form of the Awakened One') inSanskrit andPali. These may be statues or other images such as paintings. The main figure in an image may also represent another individual who has attainedBuddhahood, or abodhisattva, especially within the various traditions ofMahayana Buddhism. OtherBuddhas and bodhisattvas in art have become increasingly common over the centuries, perhaps now even outnumbering images of the historical Buddha.
In its first centuriesBuddhism waslargely or entirely aniconic, not showing the person of Buddha except by symbols and relics. This changed, and figures of the Buddha became very common in theart of Gandhara andGupta art. As forms ofesoteric Buddhism developed, other figures from the expanding array of Buddhist sacred persons became more prominent. InTheravada Buddhism this was much less the case, and figures of the historical Buddha remain the most common main images in temples and shrines to the present.
Early images were most often of Buddha standing, but seated meditating postures, essentially thelotus position ofyoga, came to predominate. Often these represent a specific moment in the Buddha's life, which is identified by the Buddha's hand gesture (mudra), or attributes shown. There are also statues of theReclining Buddha, lying down, usually showing the moment of his death.
Sets ofnarrative scenes from the life of the Buddha tend to concentrate on standard groupings such as theEight Great Events or other sets, but may be much larger. Originally common inreliefs, and probably paintings of which few have survived, they have more recently mostly been in painted form. Narrative scenes may show the Buddha in various poses, though they tend to show the Buddha in the same standing, seated or lying positions, with other figures or amudra indicating what moment is being depicted.
Despite cultural and regional differences in the interpretations of texts about the life of Gautama Buddha, there are some general guidelines to the attributes of a Buddharupa:
The elongated earlobes are vestiges of his life as a prince, when he wore extravagant jewelry. The bump at the top of the head is theushnisha and represents spirituality, wisdom, and awakening.[1]
Depictions of the Buddha vary widely across cultures.
The image of Buddhas started to emerge from the first century CE inNorth India, developed inGandhara andMathura. The art of Gandhara was influenced byAncient Greek art, leading to the development ofGreco-Buddhist art with anatomically well-proportioned and realistic figure of the Buddha. One of the most influential Buddhist art wasGupta art and the laterAmaravati style. From India the depiction of Buddha spread to the rest of Asia. The Buddharupas of India, Sri Lanka, JavaneseSailendra andCambodian art usually depict a well-proportioned figure, but sometimes he is shown emaciated, in recollection of the Buddha's years of ascetic practices.
Many people may be familiar with the "Happy" or "Laughing" Buddha, a different historical figure, who should not be confused with the images of Gautama Buddha.Budai, a Chinese Buddhist monk also known asHotei, is depicted as fat and happy, almost always shown smiling or laughing, and is associated withMaitreya, the future Buddha.
A statue or a painting of Buddha always illustrates a mudra or gesture. There are large numbers of these, but a few are the oldest and most common. InMahayana Buddhism, some of the most common have also become identified with the five transcendental Buddhas, also called "Dhyani Buddhas" or "Pancha Buddhas", further complicating identification of the figure shown. These mudras are as follows:[2]
Images ofBuddha showing him reclining, represent hisParinirvana or departure into finalnirvana at death.
Other times he is holding various symbolic objects, or making symbolicmudras (gestures).
The clothing also varies with national styles. In East Asia it tends to follow local monastic dress, with the arms covered. In India early depictions, especially from hotter regions, such asart of Mathura, Buddha is often shown with very thin robes or topless, with most of the body uncovered, or appearing so.
An innovation of the Ayutthaya period.
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