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| Home > Indian Sculptures > Buddhist Sculptures > Bodhgaya
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| | Bodhgaya
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Bodhgaya is in the state of Bihar known as the most important Buddhist pilgrimage center from many decades. It is the place where Gautam Buddha entered into the state of meditation after being moved by the sufferings of mankind. The giant `peepal tree` that is seen today is believed to have grown from the original Bodhi Tree which had experienced the words of Siddharth. It is the same tree, sitting on the raised platform under the tree, Prince Siddharth meditated attained Nirvana. In other words, the stage of enlightenment is achieved here itself.
But not only the philosophic linkage of the place generate interests but the sculptural beauty also. The magnificent Maha Bodhi temple in Bodhgaya is considered as an architectural amalgamation of many cultures. The temple may be constructed during the Gupta Dynasty or in subsequent ages as it bears such evidences.
On the sculptures on the walls of the temple, the images of Buddha carved in different aspects, such as in the sanctum sanctorum or a colossal Buddha. All these images are seen touching the ground in the sculpturing way, which has also mythological significance from the Buddhist lores.
 Today, the Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum is attracting people or especially to a religious art lover as it has a collection of the Buddha`s centered art forms. The sculpture figuring Buddha & Buddhist thoughts from the 1st Century BC to 11th Century A.D. is housed at the museum.
The Maha Bodhi Temple
The place of historical importance at which the Enlightenment took place became a place of pilgrimage. Though no evidences in historical records, many believe that the Buddha must have revisited Bodhgaya again in the course of his teaching.
 King Ashoka visited the place about 250 years after the Enlightenment took place and it is considered as he constructed the Maha Bodhi Temple. It is said that Ashoka with establishing a monastery erected a diamond throne shrine at this spot with a canopy supported by four pillars over a stone representation of the Vajrasana, the seat of Enlightenment. For which the temple of Maha Bodhi is famous.
The architecture of the temple is superb but its history is rooted in obscurity. Originally, the temple was constructed with the main intention of making it a monument and not as the place of showing seat of the Buddha. So, with the main chamber of worship several shrines were constructed with enshrined images for worshipping.
The basement of the present temple is 15m square, 15m in length as well as in breadth and its height is 52m which rises in the form of a slender pyramid and tapering off from a square platform. On upper side of the four corners four towers are gracefully constructed to some height. In this way the whole architectural set-up gives a proper pose and balance, when it is observed.
The colossal image of the Buddha is placed Inside the temple in the "touching the ground pose", bhumisparsha mudra. This image can be of 1700 years old. The image is presented facing at the east, exactly at the place where the Buddha at the time of meditation were seated having the Bodhi Tree at the back.
The Bodhi Tree
 Not less than but for seven days after the phase of Enlightenment, the Buddha continued his meditation sitting under the Bodhi tree without moving from his seat. After this, during the second week he had practiced walking meditation. A jewel walk, Chankramanar, was built as a low platform adorned with nineteen lotuses, which are parallel to the Maha Bodhi temple on its north side. For another week the Buddha contemplated the Bodhi tree. In this place a stupa was built called Animeschalochana situated to the north of the Chankramanar.
At the backside of the main temple, towards the west, there is an ancient peepal tree Ficus religiosa or Bodhi tree. Sitting under this tree only the Gautama reached to the enlightenment stage. The present tree is considered as the descendant of the original tree.
There is a legend that wife of Ashoka had cut down the original tree, as she became jealous of the time Ashoka spent there. But it grew again and today we can see the descendant of this tree. It is said that many other sacred trees in India and other countries are originally raised from the seeds brought from the ancient Bodhgaya tree.
In the 3rd century B.C, a shoot from the original Bodhi tree was taken to the Sri Lanka by the daughter of Ashoka, Bhikkhuni Sangamitta. And here the king Devanampiyatissa planted it at the Mahavihara monastery in Anuradhapura, where it still flourishes.
 Among the followers of Buddha, Vajrasana was considered as the specific site of the enlightenment, and the Bodhi tree is closely related to the Buddha`s accomplishment. It has become a central focus of devotion in the history of the Sangha. Pilgrims believe that the seeds and leaves of the Bodhi tree are the blessings for their monasteries and homes. The place is enriched by devotion of Buddhists of all traditions, emerging as a powerful inspiration to the entire world.
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