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COMMON TRAITS
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COMMON TRAITS:

 

With the image of the Buddha came common characteristics, which can be seen in the art of both Mathura and Gandhara and have been carried on throughout time. Buddha is always pictured wearing an Indian Monastic garment that covers one or both shoulders. His hands are always used to try to display what he is trying to teach us or what important event is taking place in his life. He also has many physical features, which can always be seen when Buddha is represented. One major one is a lump at the top of his head, which represents his supreme knowledge that he gained through enlightenment. Some others include webbed fingers, a halo, and long earlobes.
	One controversy taking place today is over which school actually created the image of the Buddha first. It is very tough to tell because of the lack of dated material during the time but both Mathura and Gandhara both had many images of the Buddha in their art. Most of the images of Buddha show him either sitting or standing.
A standing Buddha from the early part of the period had a few typical features. One of them was the figure was wearing a monastic garment with the right shoulder bare. This garment is usually depicted to be almost transparent so that you can see the shape of the plump body. The face of these images is typically very round and the hair is only made noticeable by the hairline.
The right hand is then typically shown as holding the garment. The image of the Buddha sitting has many of the same images of the Buddha standing. The seated Buddha is also shown with transparent clothes draped over his left shoulder. The seated Buddha also has a rounded face but the hairstyle is completely different. The hair on the Buddha is wound on top of the head into what is called a Kapara. Finally it also has a halo over the head.      Some common symbols found in the art of the time include floral motifs. Some of these floral motifs include leaf growth, garlands, and floral patterns. Another common Motif is the Lotus. A lotus is also very common in the Buddhist art of the time. A lotus is usually white and comes out of crystal clear water representing purity. It can usually be seen in the stupas carved into the rails.