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Manipur, Dec. 17 -- I am a human being and I am not perfect. So, please kindly read the message and not the messenger
In India several hundred years after the time of the Buddha, Buddhism developed a rich tradition of visual imagery for depicting sacred beings. Based on descriptions recorded in the scriptures, Buddhas are typically shown as human figures with supernatural attributes to represent their spiritually elevated status. The most commonly depicted bodily markings include a bump on the top of the head to indicate wisdom, a mark in the middle of the forehead that also shows great understanding, lengthened earlobes that are a reminder of the Buddha princely youth and a body with idealized proportions and contours. In addition, Buddhas are often, although not always shown as ascetics who wear simple monastic robes and are devoid of decorative shawls, scarves and jewellery. Bodhisattvas, on the other hand, are customarily shown richly ornamented, representing their continued engagement with this world. Buddhist icons offer messages or information to viewers through their hand gestures (mudra). Common gestures include the ones for meditation, teaching, and assuaging fear.
The appearance of Buddhist imagery varies according to when the object was made, contemporary and local stylistic preferences, the...