Characteristics of Buddha Images - The four main Postures

 

Buddha images were not made during the first few centuries after the life of Lord Buddha. They first appeared during the 1st and 2nd century A.D. in India. Almost immediately, a set of rules developed on how the Buddha should be depicted. It is worth remembering that a Buddha image is considered to be a hypostatis, endowed with supernatural powers and therefore has to be properly rendered. The Buddha is believed to have 32 major characteristics (and more minor ones).

 

Examples (that can be seen on Buddha sculptures) :

• The Buddha is flat footed
• Long en slender fingers and toes (often with the four fingers of both hands and the five toes of each foot of the same lenght). Sometimes webbed toes and fingers.
• Between the eyebrows, a tuft of hair
• Head with a protuberance on top of the skull (unhisa)
• No furrow between the shoulders
• Although not strictly listed at a major characteristic, Buddha images also have distended ear-lobes (from wearing heavy rings in early life)
• Hands in standing position often at knee level
• Etc.

The Buddha is always in one of four postures deemed suitable : Sitting, Standing, Walking or Reclining Postures. The dress of the Buddha is the monastic robe, draped over both shoulders, or with the right shoulder bare.