The Buddha was not shown in human form in early Indian sculpture but was represented by a variety of symbols which recalled important events in his life. For example, the Bodhi tree at Bodhgayā, where the Buddha sat in meditation, was used to represent the moment of enlightenment. Another important symbol was the wheel. This was used to indicate the Buddha teaching, an event described by the Buddhist tradition as the ‘turning of the wheel of the Law’.

The Bodhi tree was an especially potent symbol because it was and is an actual living link to the Buddha and his times. Because the Buddha sat under the tree and so used it as part of his meditation, it came to be classed as a ‘relic of use’ (paribhogika dhātu).

The wide use of symbols was based on the Buddhist religious ideals. Because the Buddha had attained enlightenment, he was completely free from suffering and totally removed from mundane concerns. For these reasons, early Buddhists regarded human representations of him as inappropriate. Having achieved liberation from the constraints of the human body, showing the Buddha with a body could only demean his high religious status and denigrate his spiritual achievement.