This first century B.C. limestone relief from India represents the Buddhapada, the footprints of the Buddha. Born sometime in the sixth century B.C., Siddhartha Gautama was a prince of the Sakya clan of northeastern India; he became the Buddha, which means “enlightened one,” after he renounced his life of privilege and comfort and devoted his life to meditation. Before the first century A.D., the Buddha was never represented as a human figure in Indian sculpture; instead artists represented him indirectly or through symbols. The feet of gods and gurus have long been an object of veneration in India. Still […]
