Buddha footprint

Buddha's footprint is a symbolic image of the Buddha. A Buddha's footprint comes in two forms: natural as a depression in rocks, or figuratively as made ​​by human hands.

A figurative footprint of the Buddha was not created as a work of art for decoration or only to please the eye. The intention was, rather, the viewer to remember to teach or maybe even enlighten.

Footprints of the Buddha can be found very often in the whole of Asia, it is an important part of the artistic traditions of the Theravada countries of Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand. The Japanese author Motoji Niwa (丹羽 基 二) estimates that about 3000 he tracked down footprints on his numerous trips throughout Asia, including 300 in Japan, and over 1000 in Sri Lanka.

History

During the first centuries after the death of the Buddha this was never shown as a person, but only as a symbol. Even in the first century BC, Sanchi, North India by the descendants of Emperor Ashoka the portals ( Torana ) to the famous stupas over and over decorated with symbols of enlightened: the horse without a rider is reminiscent of the departure from the parental home, the empty seat under the Bodhi tree stand at the moment of enlightenment, the stupas for entry into nirvana. And there are footprints, decorated in the center with a round symbol. Simply represent the presence of the sublime.

Representations

On the soles of the Buddha are almost always the 32, 108 or 132 auspicious symbols of the Buddha to see, but which differ in almost all representations. However, one thing in common: in the middle is always the Dharmachakra. Around the Dharmachakra are a variety of figures to see which represent royal regalia in part, but also partly mythological origin. In fact you could say that the walk was to a directory of mystical, mythological and cosmological ideas.

In summary, encourage the 108 symbols and the Dharmachakra the observer in the presence of the Buddha and his "Message". One recognizes the Buddhist cosmology and the higher spheres, in which one can be reborn. They can also be understood as a guide for monks, dealing with Jhana meditation. One recognizes the individual stages, which can reach the meditators while they are perfect for the way to Nirvana.

Thai readings

Virginia McKeen suggested in their article in the May 2003 edition of the Newsletter National Museum Volunteers following classification steps:

Early burmesisches Design

The oldest depiction of a Buddha footprint with 108 symbols found in the Lokananda pagoda in Bagan, Myanmar. You start on a right foot to count the upper left with the symbol of the royal spear and then moves circle continues clockwise until you reach the center, thus reaches the Dharmachakra. The imprint of a left foot would be done counterclockwise accordingly.

Sri Lanka Design

Sri Lanka, the design, the symbols 108 are arranged in concentric circles around the wheel in the middle. It starts up in the middle at 12 clock again with the symbol of the royal spear and continues reading clockwise. An example of a footprint in Sri Lanka design can be found in Wat Bowonniwet in Bangkok.

Thai Style

With footprints in Thai style are arranged (below the toes) the realms of 16 Brahmas with the form and the six deva realms in three horizontal lines at the top. Further, in a left foot line by line from left to right to read from top to bottom. An example can be found on the feet of the great Reclining Buddha at Wat Phra Chethubon ( Wat Pho ) in Bangkok.

Free Design

There are also footprints, in which the symbols are not arranged in a specific pattern, for example, an approximately one meter high wooden footprint at the National Museum of Chiang Mai. The design is decorated with mother of pearl inlays and gold.

Design of four Buddhas

The design of the four Buddhas, each of the past four Buddhas who have appeared in this Buddhist Era, Dipamkara, Konagama, Kassapa and Gotama, leave an imprint. The arrangement may correspond to each of the above four designs. The sizes of the four footprints are different due to the body size of the four Buddhas. In the Madhuratthavilasini from the 5th century the size of Kakusandha is given as 18.28 meters, the. Konagamana of 13.7 meters, Kassapa was 9.14 meters high and 8.23 meters Gotama Course result, the size of the footprints is no longer surprising.

• File radiographs of different symbols, Wat Pho

Indra's palace, which stands on Mount Meru. Here on the soles of the feet it is above the Dharmachakra.

Phra Athit: symbol of the sun

Three of the 16 " Brahmas with form "