What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography ?
Detailed Explanation:
In the early phase of Buddhist art, the Buddha was not shown in human form. Instead, different symbols were used to represent important events of his life.
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Empty Seat (Vajrasana/Bodhimanda) represents the Meditation of the Buddha and the place where he attained Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya.
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Wheel (Dharmachakra) represents the First Sermon at Sarnath.
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Stupa represents the Mahaparinibbana (final liberation).
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Riderless Horse represents the Mahabhinishkramana (Great Renunciation).
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Therefore, Option A is the correct answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong
| Option | Actual Symbol |
|---|---|
| The Buddha's First Sermon | Dharmachakra (Wheel) |
| The Buddha's Mahaparinibbana | Stupa |
| The Buddha's Mahabhinishkramana | Riderless Horse (Kanthaka) |
| The Meditation of the Buddha | Empty Seat (Vajrasana) ✅ |
Question 1 of 6 Buddhism
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With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the co...