Bhante Anandajoti: Representing the Buddha

This video is built around a talk given in the Vivekavana Buddhist Society, Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaysia on April 28th, 2013.
The talk is about the scriptural and sculptural respresentations of the Buddha as they developed over the years, and is illustrated with relevant texts, maps and photographs.
In the early discourses we find the Buddha was quite indistinguishable from any other recluse, he was shaven-headed, wore a robe and looked like any other monk.
In the later discourses he is described as having the 32 Marks of a Great Man, an extraordinary set of characteristics, which describe him as looking quite freakish, and he would be easily recognised.
In the early aniconic representations at Sanchi, Bharhut and Amaravati he is not shown at all, but his presence is signified by symbols: the Diamond Throne, the Bodhi Tree, the Holy Feet and more.
The first sculptures of the Buddha arose in the Indo-Greek kingdoms around Gandhara and show him looking like a Greek, where the obvious model has been Apollo.
In the classical Gupta period the Buddha acquires most of the iconography which we now recognise as being characteristic of a Buddha statue.
The talk concludes by showing some of the main postures the Buddha statues are seen in: calling the earth to witness, teaching, meditating, giving blessings and fearlessness, and reclining.
The maps are based on the following page: www.ancient-buddhist-texts.net...

[@jakedouglas2411]

Invaluable Jewell of knnowledge your work is Bhante ! Saying "Thank you" isnt enough..

[@JudoMateo]

I wish more teachers went to the original Suttas, so that the logic, beauty, and truth of the Dhamma could shine through the extraneous traditions that only serve to separate the pragmatism of practicing the Dhamma from the masses who claim to be Buddhist yet do not even attempt to keep the precepts or practice Bhavana.

[@mysticalsoulqc]

great teaachinng thank's

[@ftcbr1387]

Can't find the other talk mentioned about the development of ideas and scriptures. Is It online? If not, can you publish it? Thanks in advance.

[@DharmaRecords]

I think I was referring to this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWawZ5mnjNWKoK8

[@SusmitaBarua_mita]

Earliest books and printing press were Buddhist. Nalanda university was set up at 5th century followed by many others; Aryabhatta invented zero in 5th century, Buddha discovered sunyata or void a thousand year before through direct experience of Nibbana