Bharatwiki Socrates: Created page with "{{Short description|Stone slab at the spot where the Buddha meditated under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India}} {{other uses|Vajrasana (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Use Indian English|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox artifact |image = 250px |name = Diamond Throne
''Vajrasana'' |image_caption = The Diamond Throne in Bodh Gaya. |material = Polished sandstone |size = |writing = |created =..."

2024-01-07T07:05:02Z

Created page with "{{Short description|Stone slab at the spot where the Buddha meditated under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India}} {{other uses|Vajrasana (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Use Indian English|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox artifact |image = 250px |name = Diamond Throne ''Vajrasana'' |image_caption = The Diamond Throne in Bodh Gaya. |material = Polished sandstone |size = |writing = |created =..."

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{{Short description|Stone slab at the spot where the Buddha meditated under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India}}
{{other uses|Vajrasana (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox artifact
|image = [[File:Diamond Throne Vajrasana.jpg|250px]]
|name = Diamond Throne ''Vajrasana''
|image_caption = The Diamond Throne in [[Bodh Gaya]].
|material = Polished [[sandstone]]
|size =
|writing =
|created =
|period = circa 250 BCE
|place = [[Bodh Gaya]], [[Bihar]], [[India]]
|discovered_coords ={{coord|24.695939|84.991211|display=inline, title}}
|location = [[Bodh Gaya]], [[Bihar]], [[India]]
| map =
{{Location map|India
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|float = center
|border =
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|label = Diamond Throne
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|lat_min = 41
|lat_sec = 45.4
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The '''Vajrasana''' ({{IAST3|vajrāsana}}; ''diamond throne''), or '''Enlightenment Throne of the Buddha''', is an ancient stone slab located under the [[Bodhi tree]], directly beside the [[Mahabodhi Temple]] at [[Bodh Gaya]]. The slab is thought to have been placed at Bodhgayā by Emperor [[Ashoka The Great]] of the [[Maurya Empire]] between 250-233 BCE,<ref name="BA"/> at the spot where the [[Buddha]] meditated.<ref name="Ching">A Global History of Architecture, Francis D. K. Ching, Mark M. Jarzombek, Vikramaditya Prakash, John Wiley & Sons, 2017 [https://books.google.com/books?id=SPqKDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT570 p.570ff]</ref>

The vajrasana is the [[bodhimanda]] (''{{IAST|bodhimaṇḍa}}''; ''seat'' or ''platform of enlightenment'') of Gautama Buddha.{{sfn|Buswell|Lopez Jr.|2013|loc=Entry for bodhimaṇḍa}} Being the site where Gautama Buddha [[Enlightenment in Buddhism|achieved liberation]], Tibetan texts also use the term vajrasana to refer to Bodh Gaya itself.{{sfn|Buswell|Lopez Jr.|2013|loc=Entry for vajrāsana}}

The [[Hetoimasia#The_empty_throne_in_pre-Christian_art|empty throne]] was a focus of devotion in early Buddhism, treated as a [[cetiya]] or symbolic relic. It was not intended to be occupied, but operated as a symbol of the missing Buddha. Ancient images show devotees kneeling in prayer before it, as they still do.

==The throne==
===Discovery===
[[File:Vajrasana, early 20th century.jpg|thumb|left|The Vajrasana in the early 20th century]]
The Vajrasana, together with the remnants of the ancient temple built by Ashoka, was excavated by archaeologist [[Alexander Cunningham]] (1814-1893), who published his discovery and related research of the [[Mahabodhi Temple]] in his 1892 book ''[https://archive.org/stream/cu31924008747788 Mahâbodhi, or the great Buddhist temple under the Bodhi tree at Buddha-Gaya]''.

===Description===
As it survives now, the Vajrasana is a thick slab of polished grey [[sandstone]], 7 feet 10-inches long by 4 feet 7-inches broad, and 6-inches thick. The whole top surface was carved with geometrical patterns, circular in the middle, with a double border of squares.<ref name="AC9">Alexander Cunningham, Mahâbodhi, or the great Buddhist temple under the Bodhi tree at Buddha-Gaya [https://archive.org/stream/cu31924008747788 p.19] Public Domain text</ref>

{{multiple image
| align = right
|direction=horizontal
| total_width =500
|title=The Diamond Throne and the Pillars of Ashoka
| image1 = Diamond_throne_discovery.jpg
| width1 = 325
| caption1 = Discovery of Ashoka's Diamond throne in [[Bodh Gaya]] in 1892, near the spot of the Buddha's illumination and the [[Boddhi tree]].
| image2 =Decorative bands of the Diamond Throne (top) and the Sanchi pillar capital (bottom).jpg
| width2=150
| caption2 = Side decorative bands of the Diamond Throne (top) and the [[Sanchi]] pillar capital (bottom), both featuring geese and [[flame palmette]]s.
| image3=Decorative friezes of the Diamond Throne (top) and the Sankissal pillar capital (bottom).jpg
| width3=150
| caption3=Front decorative friezes of the Diamond Throne (top) and the [[Sankissa]] pillar capital (bottom), both alternating flame palmettes, [[Rosette (design)|rosette]]s and lotuses.
}}

The sculpted decorations on the Diamond Throne clearly echo the decorations found on the Pillars of Ashoka.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Allen |first1=Charles |title=Ashoka: The Search for India's Lost Emperor |date=2012 |publisher=Little, Brown Book Group |isbn=9781408703885 |page=133 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K4vHjbUtf_4C&pg=PT133 |language=en}}</ref> The Diamond Throne has a decorative band made on the sides of carvings of [[honeysuckle]]s and [[geese]], which can also be found on several of the [[Pillars of Ashoka|pillar capitals of Ashoka]],<ref name="Huu Phuoc"/> such as the [[Rampurva capitals]], and also pigeons on the back relief, nowadays hidden from view.<ref name="AC9"/> The geese ([[Hamsa (bird)|hamsa]]) in particular are a very recurrent symbol on the pillars of Ashoka, and may refer to the devotees flocking to the faith.<ref name="BA"/> The same throne is also illustrated in later reliefs from [[Bharhut]], dated to circa 100 BCE.<ref name="C4">Mahâbodhi, Cunningham [https://archive.org/stream/cu31924008747788 p.4ff] Public Domain text</ref>

The long frieze at the front is slightly different, and consists in stylized [[Nelumbo nucifera|lotuses]] with multiple [[calyx (flower)|calyx]], alternating with "[[flame palmette]]s" of a slightly simpler design than on the side. A rather similar design can also be seen in [[:File:Frieze of capital of Lat at Allahabad.jpg|the lost frieze]] of the [[Allahabad pillar]] of Ashoka.

The vajrasana has carvings on all sides, suggesting that the original temple built by Ashoka (bodhigriha) was open on all sides, an ''hammiya'' structure.<ref name="BA">Buddhist Architecture, Huu Phuoc Le [https://books.google.com/books?id=9jb364g4BvoC&pg=PA240 p.240]</ref> The small statues at the foot of the throne are of a later date, probably [[Kushan Empire|Kushan]] or [[Gupta Empire|Gupta]].<ref name="AC9"/>

===Ashoka===
[[File:Anagarika Dharmapala (1864-1933) at the Vajrasana.jpg|thumb|[[Anagarika Dharmapala]] (1864-1933) at the Vajrasana. The throne appears clearly in its exact shape, with supporting columns.]]
[[File:Bharhut relief with Diamond throne and Mahabodhi Temple around the Boddhi Tree.jpg|thumb|[[Bharhut]] relief with the Vajrasana (similar to the [[:File:Anagarika Dharmapala (1864-1933) at the Vajrasana.jpg|Anagarika Dharmapala photograph]] with its supporting columns), and the [[Mahabodhi Temple]] around the [[Bodhi Tree]] (2nd century BCE).<ref>Mahâbodhi, Cunningham [https://archive.org/stream/cu31924008747788 p.4ff]</ref>]]
The Vajrasana was built by Ashoka in order to mark the place where the Buddha reached enlightenment.<ref>"Ashoka did build the Diamond Throne at Bodh Gaya to stand in for the Buddha and to mark the place of his enlightenment" in A Global History of Architecture, Francis D. K. Ching, Mark M. Jarzombek, Vikramaditya Prakash, John Wiley & Sons, 2017 [https://books.google.com/books?id=SPqKDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT570 p.570ff]</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Allen |first1=Charles |title=Ashoka: The Search for India's Lost Emperor |date=21 February 2012 |publisher=Little, Brown Book Group |isbn=978-1-4087-0388-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K4vHjbUtf_4C&pg=PT133 |language=en}}</ref> Ashoka is thought to have visited Bodh Gaya around 260 BCE, about 10 years into his reign, as explained by his [[Edicts of Ashoka|Rock Edict number VIII]].<ref>Asoka, Mookerji Radhakumud Motilal Banarsidass Publisher, 1962 [https://books.google.com/books?id=uXyftdtE1ygC&pg=PA18 p.18]</ref> He describes his visit to [[Bodh Gaya]], known in ancient times as [[Sambodhi]] ("complete enlightenement") or Uruvela ("Original ancient name of Bodh gaya as mentioned in Pali Canon's Paṭhamauruvelasutta of Anguttara Nikaya and Bodhi Sutta of Khuddaka Nikaya and many other Pali Suttas(Sutras)"):<ref name="SD">The Edicts of King Asoka, an English rendering by Ven. S. Dhammika, 1994 [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/dhammika/wheel386.html]</ref>

{{quote |
In times past the [[Devanampriya]]s (Kings) used to set out on so-called pleasure-tours.

On these (tours) hunting and other such pleasures were (enjoyed).

When king [[Devanampriya]] [[Priyadarsin]] had been anointed ten years, he went out to [[Sambodhi]].

Therefore tours of morality (were undertaken) here.

On these (tours) the following takes place, (viz.) visiting [[Sramanas]] and [[Brahmanas]] and making gifts (to them), visiting the aged and supporting (them) with gold, visiting the people of the country, instructing (them) in morality, and questioning (them) about morality, as suitable for this (occasion).

This second period (of the reign) of king Devanampriya Priyadarsin becomes a pleasure in a higher degree.

|8th Major Rock Edict. Translation by [[E. Hultzsch]]. [https://archive.org/stream/InscriptionsOfAsoka.NewEditionByE.Hultzsch/HultzschCorpusAsokaSearchable#page/n173/mode/2up Inscriptions of Asoka p.36-37]. Public Domain.
}}

The throne slab dating from the time of Ashoka, was built when Ashoka established the first Bodh Gaya temple around the [[Bodhi tree]] circa 260 BCE.<ref name="Huu Phuoc"/> The throne was initially found hidden behind a bigger throne of the Kushan period, and an even bigger one, probably from the [[Pala Empire|Pala]] period. It is thought that the Vajrasana was initially located at the bottom of the original [[Bodhi tree]].<ref name="Huu Phuoc">Buddhist Architecture, Huu Phuoc Le, Grafikol, 2010 [https://books.google.com/books?id=9jb364g4BvoC&pg=PA240 p.240]</ref> The slab is made of polished sandstone, and dated to the time of Ashoka.<ref name="Huu Phuoc"/> This is the oldest known piece of architecture at Bodh Gaya.<ref name="Huu Phuoc"/>

===Bharhut relief illustrating the Vajrasana===
[[File:Bharhut Pasenadi Pillar, Outer Face Diamond Throne.jpg|thumb|left|The Vajrasana as illustrated in [[Bharhut]] (2nd century BCE).]]
According to the inscribed Bharhut relief related to the Vajrasana, the original [[Mahabodhi Temple]] of Asoka was an open pavilion supported on pillars. In the middle is seen the Vajrasana decorated in front with four flat pilasters. Behind the Throne appears the trunk of the Bodhi Tree, which rises up high above the building, and on each side of the Tree there is a combined symbol of the [[Triratna]] and the [[Dharmachakra]], standing on the top of a short pillar. On each side of the Vajrasana room there is a side room of the same style. The top of the Throne is ornamented with flowers, but there is no figure of Buddha.<ref name="C4">Mahâbodhi, Cunningham [https://archive.org/stream/cu31924008747788 p.4ff] Public Domain text</ref>

The relief bears the inscription: "Bhagavato Sakamunino Bodho" ("The Bodhi (Tree) of the divine [[Shakyamuni]]", or "The illumination of the Blessed Sakyamuni"),<ref>{{cite book |last1=Leoshko |first1=Janice |title=Sacred Traces: British Explorations of Buddhism in South Asia |date=2017 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781351550307 |page=64 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gS4rDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA64 |language=en}}</ref> thereby confirming the meaning of the relief.<ref name="C4"/>

==Characteristics==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0 auto;" align="center" colspan=2 cellpadding="3" style="font-size: 80%; width: 100%;"
|align="center" colspan=2 style="background:#F4A460; font-size: 100%;"| '''The Vajrasana and its main components, [[Mahabodhi Temple]], [[Bodh Gaya]]''' (Front/ back/ right/ left orientation based on the modern disposition of the throne.)
|-
|align="center" style="font-size: 100%; width: 1%;"|[[File:Vajrasana under Buddha statue.jpg|200px]] The Vajrasana was encased under a massive statue of the Buddha (back frieze, quite damaged, with pigeons visible) [[File:Diamond throne discovery.jpg|300px]] 
Discovery of the Vajrasana (Right side view). [[File:Front view of the Diamond Throne.jpg|250px]] Elevation plan of the original Vajrasana (Front view).
|align="center" colspan=1 style="font-size: 100%;"|
<gallery mode="packed">
Diamond throne top surface Bodh Gaya.jpg|Vajrasana top surface as excavated, and geometrical details of closest side.
Diamond throne frieze.jpg|Vajrasana frieze (right side of the throne).
Vajrasana Diamond Throne of Ashoka at Bodh Gaya detail of decorative band.jpg|Modern image. Detail of the decorative frieze on the left side, consisting in [[honeysuckle]]s and [[geese]], which can also be found on several of the [[Pillars of Ashoka|pillar capital of Ashoka]].<ref name="Huu Phuoc"/>
File:Vajrasana front frieze design.jpg|Front frieze of the Vajrasana: [[Nelumbo nucifera|lotuses]] with multiple [[calyx (flower)|calyx]], alternating with "[[flame palmette]]s". This design is broadly similar to that of [[:File:Frieze of capital of Lat at Allahabad.jpg|the frieze]] of the [[Allahabad pillar]] of Ashoka, or [[:File:Sankissa elephant abacus detail.jpg|the abacus of the Sankissa elephant]].
Vajrasana back relief band detail.jpg|Back frieze detail (nowadays hidden from view): [[pigeons]] and [[flame palmette]]s.
Diamond throne frieze detail.jpg|Right side frieze detail: geese and [[flame palmette]]s.
</gallery>
|}

==Offerings==
[[File:BodhGayaEnlightmentThroneOfferingAndHuvishkaCoin.jpg|thumb|Offerings found in Bodh Gaya under the "Enlightenment Throne of the Buddha", with a decorated coin of the [[Kushan Empire|Kushan]] emperor [[Huvishka]], 3rd century CE. [[British Museum]].<ref name="BPS52"/>]]
Various gold objects and a talisman with the impression of the bust of the [[Kushan Empire|Kushan]] ruler [[Huvishka]] were found buried under the Vajrasana.<ref name="BPS52">{{cite book |last1=Sinha |first1=Bindeshwari Prasad |last2=Narain |first2=Lala Aditya |title=Pāṭaliputra Excavation, 1955-56 |year=1970 |publisher=Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Bihar |page=52-53 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6RRuAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA52 |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Pillars of Ashoka]]
* [[Hellenistic influence on Indian art]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
{{Commons category|Vajrasana, Bodh Gaya}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DXN2AAAAQBAJ |title=The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism |last1=Buswell |first1=Robert E. Jr.|last2=Lopez |first2=Donald S. Jr.|author-link=Robert Buswell Jr. |author-link2=Donald S. Lopez Jr. |date=2013 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=9781400848058 |location=Princeton }}

[[Category:Bodh Gaya]]
[[Category:Mauryan art]]
[[Category:Buddhist architecture]]
[[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]]
[[Category:Memorials to Ashoka]]
[[Category:Indian Buddhist sculpture]]

Vajrasana, Bodh Gaya - Revision history