Buddhapada: 1 definition
Introduction:
Buddhapada means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
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In Buddhism
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: WikiPedia: BuddhismThe footprint of the Buddha is an imprint of Gautama Buddhas one or both feet. It comes in two forms: natural, as found in stone or rock, and artificial engravement.
Many of the "natural" ones, of course, are acknowledged not to be actual footprints of the Buddha, but replicas or representations of them, which can be considered relics in Buddhism and also an early aniconic and symbolic representation of the Buddha. The footprints of the Buddha abound throughout Asia, dating from various periods.
Japanese author Motoji Niwa, who spent years tracking down the footprints in many Asian countries, estimates that he found over 3,000 such footprints, among them about 300 in Japan and over 1,000 in Sri Lanka. They often bear distinguishing marks, such as a Dharmachakra at the centre of the sole, or the 32, 108 or 132 auspicious signs of the Buddha, engraved or painted on the sole.
Buddhist legend holds that during his lifetime the Buddha flew to Sri Lanka and left his footprint on Adams Peak to indicate the importance of Sri Lanka as the perpetuator of his teachings, and also left footprints in all lands where his teachings would be acknowledged.
In Thailand, the most important of these "natural" footprints imbedded in rock is at Phra Phutthabat in Central Thailand.
In China, during Tang Dynasty, the discovery of a large footprint of the Buddha in Chengzhou caused Empress Wu Zetian to inaugurate a new reign name in that year, 701 CE, starting the Dazu (Big Foot) era.
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Search found 2 books and stories containing Buddhapada; (plurals include: Buddhapadas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology (by Sreyashi Ray chowdhuri)
Lower Kṛṣṇā Valley (10): Kesanapalli < [Chapter 2 - Amarāvatī and other Archaeological Sites of Ancient Andhra Pradesh]
Amarāvatī impact on later schools of Indian art < [Chapter 5 - Impact of Amarāvatī Art]
Region Beyond The Coastal Lines (3): Phanigiri < [Chapter 2 - Amarāvatī and other Archaeological Sites of Ancient Andhra Pradesh]
Vietnamese Buddhist Art (by Nguyen Ngoc Vinh)
2a. The Spread of Buddhism < [Chapter 1 - The evolution of Buddhist Art in South Vietnam and South East Asia]