01460nam a2200145 i 4500008004100000040001300041082002000054100001900074245006000093260003400153300003000187500001900217520106400236650001401300260119s        xx o          001 0 und d  aPK-LaGCW  a704.948943bSOO10aSoon, Teoh Eng40aThe Lotus in the Buddhist Art of India /cTeoh Eng Soon  aSingaPore,bShaw Foundation :  a260 Pages :bhbk.c30 cm.  aIncludes Index  aThe lotus holds a central and powerful place in the Buddhist art of India, symbolizing spiritual purity, enlightenment, and the journey of the soul toward liberation. Growing unstained from muddy waters, the lotus represents the Buddha’s rise above worldly suffering and desire, making it an ideal metaphor for the Buddhist path. In early Buddhist art, the lotus often appears as a symbolic presence rather than a human image of the Buddha, featured in carvings on stupas, railings, and gateways at sites such as Sanchi and Bharhut. As Buddhist art evolved, especially during the Gandhara and Mathura periods, the lotus became closely associated with the Buddha and bodhisattvas, frequently shown as a throne or pedestal upon which they sit or stand. Different stages of the lotus—bud, half-blossomed, and fully open—are used to suggest various levels of spiritual awakening and inner realization. The motif also extends into decorative elements, such as halo patterns, architectural designs, and manuscript illustrations, reinforcing its sacred meaning  aFine Arts