Introduction
In parts of South and Southeast Asia, Buddha is subjected to various ways of representation. The southern part of Asia has many countries, such as India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, while in Southeast section includes Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Indonesia (Stokstad & Cothren, 2018). Buddha was a philosopher, popular monk, and teacher who taught his experience and findings to his supporters. Aspects such as climate, time, and different perceptions associated with Buddhism can be attributed to the varying depictions of Buddha. This paper will discuss the different ways of representing Buddha in South and Southeast Asia.
Buddha in South and Southeast Asia
In India, which is situated in South Asia, Buddha is depicted and represented in two ways of sculpture. The sculptures are located in middle India within Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the area of Mathura. One of the sampled examples includes the style of Gandhara, which is the standing statue. Buddha was established within the second and third centuries (Stokstad & Cothren, 2018). His body is portrayed using robe folds, contours, and a slightly bent left knee. This robe treatment is a highly predicated Gandhara style associated with Buddhism. It differs from Roman statues that greatly influenced the portraits of Buddha in Central and East Asia.
The other primary style of the Buddha representation was the Mathura style. Buddha had different postures and settings. The Buddha is represented sitting with his right hand raised in a symbolic gesture that indicates a lack of fear (Stokstad & Cothren, 2018). Most of the Buddha images rely on gestures which are called mudras. The body was covered with a robe only on the left side, and it was almost naked. The Mathura style gives a powerful impression of the Buddha, indicated by the different climates in these two regions. Buddha’s thick robe in the Gandhara style is more suited for the cooler Northwest weather, and the Mathura style robe fits the warmer climate.
On the other hand, the representation of Buddha in Southeast Asia has been depicted in different ways from those expressed in the southern part. Notably, in countries such as Thailand, the Buddha is depicted seated on crossed legs on his lap (Stokstad & Cothren, 2018). This implied that Buddha had his right hand positioned over the right knee, the left hand in his lap, and his fingers pointing towards the ground. Many Thai Buddha statues are shirtless with symbolic headwear on their head. Many of these Buddhas had more humanized looks on their face and were skinnier than the commonly known Buddha statues seen across the globe (Stokstad & Cothren, 2018). Such representations help to create an impression of the actual image of Buddha. When the trade expanded in the Southeast, the Mon ethnic group was the first to adopt Buddhism. This indicates that the Buddha standing was a bronze sculpture in the region. The Buddha was positioned in gesture, thus displaying the same mudra in both hands. Buddha’s sculpture was small-sized and could be carried along the trading routes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Buddha is well represented in different forms in South and Southeast Asia. Buddha’s depictions vary depending on the region, time, different regions’ climates, people’s interpretation of Buddhism, and the influences from other religions and cultures. In addition, the Buddha is described in other sculptures in Gandhara and Mathura regions. In the Southeast, a rock-cut Parinirvana of the Buddha statue is represented in his final death. All these representations can be considered when discussing the Buddha to ensure that people have a greater understanding.
Reference
Stokstad, M., & Cothren, M.W. (2018). Art history Vol 1 (6th ed.). Pearson.