Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology

by Sreyashi Ray chowdhuri | 2018 | 90,477 words

This page relates ‘Buddhapada worship’ of the study on Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology, including museum exhibitions of the major archeological antiquities. These pages show how the Buddhist establishment of Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) survived from 4th century BCE to 14th century CE. It includes references and translations of episodes of Buddha’s life drawn from the Avadanas and Jatakas which are illustrated in Amaravati art.

Buddhapāda worship

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[Full title: Different symbols visible in the Amarāvatī Art: Buddhapāda worship]

Significance:-

The ritual of Buddhapāda worship is a sacred custom to the Buddhists. However, the custom of worshipping footprints had its antiquity in pre-Buddhist tradition. An echo of worship of footprints is found in the Rigvedic^[1] hymns. The feet of Trivikrama that measured the universe gave special significance to the Viṣṇupāda worship from which all pāda worship may be derived^[2].

In Buddhist tradition the Buddhapāda worship started with Mahakasyapa’s homage to Buddha’s feet after his Mahāparinirvāṇa. From Pali Nikāya it is known that during Buddha’s lifetime the Buddhist laity used to pay their respect to the Buddha’s feet. According to the Mahāvaṃsa Buddha left the impression of his feet to be venerated by his faithful followers.^[3]

It refers to footprint having been made by Buddha when he once flew to Sri Lanka by means of his psychic power (Iddhi)^[4]. It is stated that the footprints of Buddha to which Aśoka paid his obeisance was supposed to be found on a stone in Paṭaliputra. Hiüen Tsang visited them.

Depiction:-

The representation of Buddhapāda is found on different architectural components of the Amarāvatī Mahastūpa. In this regard mention may be made of a Buddhapāda in the British Museum. The centre of each foot bears Dharma cakra (Wheel of Law) with a double rim. The feet are further ornamented with a triratna (symbol representing the three jewels of Buddhism) and a lotus at the heal. This is the upper surface of the foot as toe-nails are visible^[5].

Another impression of a Buddhapāda from Amarāvatī carved in high relief on a small rectangular slab is preserved in the British Museum. At the centre of each foot is a Dharma cakra (Wheel of law) and a Triratna at the heel of each foot. It is flanked by a pair of square angled swastika. The toe nails are treated realistically and are decorated with swastika on smaller toes and Triratna on each of the big toes. The lower border bears the remains of an inscription where the word dānaṃ is found. This indicates that it was a donative slab. Similar depiction is found on the Buddhapāda preserved in the Archaeological Museum, Amarāvatī^[6].(Pl 27d)

In several sculptures from Amarāvatī one can see worshippers adoring the feet of Buddha. Buddhapāda act as a reminder of the fact that Buddha actually walked on the earth and left his spiritual path for his followers. Thus they are seen as tangible links with him.

One such Buddhapāda adoration scene is found on a frieze preserved in the Madras Government Museum. The frieze is sculpted on the upright illustrating a women adoring the feet of Buddha. In this iconoplastic rendering women completely surrender themselves before the feet of the Master. Their reclining postures are exaggerated in such a way that the final linear movement turns into a circular curve^[7].

Buddhapādas are also visible on several scenes illustrating the worship of Dharmacakra. In these scenes Buddhapāda symbolically signify Buddha’s presence. In one such narrative chiseled on the railing coping Buddhapādas are placed on the throne under the Dharmacakra.^[8]

Regarding the decoration on the Buddhapāda it can be said that the embellishment had deep religious significance. It can be stated that the auspicious swastika, lotuses, wheels or other signs are Mahāpurusa Lakshaṇa [Mahāpuruṣa Lakṣaṇa] which the Master had on his body from his birth. Since Buddhapāda suggests iconic representation of the Master, hence it is found in almost all the important events associated with of the Master.