Ushnisha - Crown of Lord Buddha
Author : Peter Vredeveld
The three-dimensional Oval shaped on the top of Buddha symbolizes the attainment of reliance in the spiritual realm.
Before Lord Buddha embarked on his journey towards enlightenment, as a young Prince Siddhartha, a cultural tradition existed of maintaining a topknot of hair. This practice was particularly prevalent in the royal family in Lumbini, nestled in the Himalayan region. Contrary to a common misconception among many, the topknot of Prince Siddhartha is not synonymous with Ushnisha. In Buddhist terminology, Ushnisha refers to a three-dimensional oval-shaped protrusion found at the top of the head, symbolizing the attainment of spiritual enlightenment.
"His topknot is like a crown. He has a topknot as if crowned with a flower garland."
In Buddhist tradition and architecture, Ushnisha holds significant importance in the depiction of Buddha statues and Buddhist sculptures. It is notably prominent in Burmese Buddhist art. Although historical evidence confirming whether Lord Buddha possessed Ushnisha during his lifetime remains inconclusive, the earliest representations of Ushnisha date back to the 1st century. The Greco-Buddhist art of the Gandhara kingdom featured the first known depiction. Furthermore, early Mahayana Buddhism, as represented in the plastic art of Mathura, portrayed Bodhisattvas in the form of ushnishin, or "Monks wearing hair Binding."
Representation of Ushnisha in Buddhist Art
Ushnisha is a recurring feature in ancient, medieval, and modern Buddhist art. Early Buddha images from the 1st century, such as those found in Gandhara art, prominently display Ushnisha. While the styles and interpretations of Ushnisha varied in ancient Buddhist art, its significance remains evident in medieval and modern depictions of Buddha statues and images.
The portrayal of Ushnisha may vary across different Buddhist traditions observed in various countries. The appearance of Ushnisha in Buddha statues often reflects the distinctive artistic styles of different regions. In South Asian Buddhist countries, for instance, Ushnisha may exhibit a schematic appearance featuring motifs like flames or lotus flowers instead of the traditional chignon.
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