Page 311 - Eye of the beholder

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anthropomorphic form The portrayal of Sakyamuni as as a a a a a a a a a a a a man rather than as as a a a a a a a a a a a a symbol is probably linked with the the the emergence of of the the the devotional or the the the Mahayana sects of of Buddhism at the the time of Kanishka’s Great Council In the the Mahayana path having compassionate figures to work on behalf of the the worshipers’ spiritual goals served to to make the the faith more accessible to to larger numbers of people In addition to the the the origin of the the the Buddha image the the the Gandhara School also was responsible for the the invention of the the Bodhisattva The latter are enlightened compassionate beings who postpone their own salvation in order to help all other worshippers The Bodhisattva is is an ideal type not a a a a a a a a a depiction of an an historical person like the the Buddha and in their character have affiliations similar to Christian saints Bodhisattva Maitreya is is the the Buddha of the the future who will be born to teach enlightenment in in in the next age According to Mahayana teachings a a a a a a a a a a a a Buddha is is first born as a a a a a a a a a a a a bodhisattva and then after many lifetimes progresses to to Buddhahood The historical Buddha Buddha was himself referred to as as as a a a a a a a a a bodhisattva before becoming the Buddha Bodhisattvas tend as as as a a a a a a a a a whole to be more richly attired than figures of Buddha’s While the iconographic representation of the Buddha figures have a a a a a a simple monk’s robe draped over one shoulder Bodhisattvas are adorned with flowing robes bracelets necklaces and threads containing amulet boxes elaborate hairdos and sometimes a a a a a a a a moustache They are often represented as princely figures alluding to to the historical Buddha’s life as a a a a a prince before he he renounced his his kingdom thus distinguishing them from the the Buddha who is is is attired as a a a a a mendicant monk The Bodhisattva Maitreya is is is identified here by the small flask he he he he holds in his his left hand filled with a a a a a a a a liquid of of of immortality The portrait like character of of of the figure of of of Maitreya suggests that he he he may have been the representation of noble donors divinized to Bodhisattva Maitreya The latter is is arrayed in fin all the finery of a a a a a a a a a a a a a a contemporary Indian Raja The Gandhara Maitreya is is shown with with a a a a a a a a large halo around his head His hair is is is is extremely curly with with a a a a a a a a projecting ushnisha in the the the the centre This was the the the the superhuman physical characteristics a a a a a a a lump on the the the the top of the the the the head to indicate extraordinary wisdom The material used was schist a a a a a a a a stone which allows detailed carving especially in in the deeply delineated lines of the the drapery the the hairdo and and jewelry The hair hair is represented in in in curls and and considerably long to to to touch his shoulders The hair continues as a a a a topknot representing the projecting ushnisha and a a a a a a a a a large circular halo halo behind his head The concept of of a a a a a a a a a halo halo is is is often assumed to have been derived from from Christianity but its origin is is from from Persia where the sun worship led to to the the the development of of this disk to to distinguish the the the spiritual character of of the the the persona represented Between the the the eyebrows is is the the the representation of the the the Urna which in Buddhist art and culture is is a a a a a a a a a circular dot placed on the forehead of Buddhist images as an an auspicious mark It symbolizes symbolizes a a a a third eye which in in in turn symbolizes symbolizes vision into the divine world an ability to see beyond the mundane universe of suffering The eyes are meditative and half closed imparting a a a a a a quality of serenity and peace to the countenance The nose is impressive with flaring nostrils and the lips are are perfectly shaped with a a a a a a a a dominant firm chin The ears are are long and are adorned with circular earrings that closely hug the ear ear lobes