Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology
by Sreyashi Ray chowdhuri | 2018 | 90,477 words
This page relates ‘Triratna (triple refuge)� of the study on Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology, including museum exhibitions of the major archeological antiquities. These pages show how the Buddhist establishment of Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) survived from 4th century BCE to 14th century CE. It includes references and translations of episodes of Buddha’s life drawn from the Avadanas and Jatakas which are illustrated in Amaravati art.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Triratna (triple refuge)
[Full title: Different symbols visible in the ´¡³¾²¹°ùÄå±¹²¹³ÙÄ« Art: ³Õ²¹Âá°ùÄå²õ²¹²Ô²¹ and ³§¾±á¹ƒhÄå²õ²¹²Ô²¹]
Significance:-
The belief in the triple refuge is a key expression of commitment to Buddhism. Adherents to the Buddhist order repeat three times their belief in the Buddha, the Dhamma and ³§²¹á¹…g³ó²¹. This is mentioned in a tale in the ¶Ù¾±±¹²â²¹±¹²¹»åÄå²Ô²¹. According to the story a minor god destined to take birth in the womb of a sow was reborn in the Tushita heaven by following ÅšÄå°ì°ù²¹â€™s advice to repeat. “I go for refuge to the Buddha, the best of men, I go for refuge to the Dhamma, the best of the destroyers of desire, I go for refuge to the ³§²¹á¹…g³ó²¹, the best of orders.â€� Thus, the triratna is a symbolic sign and homage paid to it represents homage to the Buddhist faith. It is also possible to view the sign iconically. This helped in paying homage to the visual form of the triratna.[1] The triratna consists of three spokes of ³Ù°ù¾±Å›Å«±ô²¹ placed on lotuses and bases.
Depiction:-
The upper section of a dome slab displays a row of 3 large triratnas. These are mounted on lotuses with large side leaves and a pair of curling vines dropping to the lower border. The lotuses are each pierced at the centre with a shallow hole to take an iron pin for mounting them on the dome. The triratnas are mounted on stepped and beaded bases and capitals.[2] This specimens is found in the British Museum. (Pl 29b)
Almost same depiction is found on other reliefs illustrating triratna on a dome slab.
Another beautiful depiction of triratna on a dome slab from ´¡³¾²¹°ùÄå±¹²¹³ÙÄ« preserved in the British Museum deserves special mention. It was originally a part of a much larger dome slab of which there now remain only a single triratna with beaded border and one similar prong from its neighbour on the left. A low, plain railing with three cross bars forms the lower border of this symbol. The base of the triratna is a large lotus decorated with an outer beaded border around a row of overlapping flower heads and the lotus petal arrangement at the centre. Between the triratna motif is a large lotus head hanging upside down. The example on the right of the panel appears to be unfinished or to represent a bud.[3]
The upper section of a dome slab illustrating ²õ³ÙÅ«±è²¹ worship show rows of triratnas. This sculpture is preserved in the Archaeological Museum, ´¡³¾²¹°ùÄå±¹²¹³ÙÄ«.[4]
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
Knox Robert, Op.cit, p 164, fig 91.
[3]:
Ibid, p 178, fig 99.