Buddhist monuments discovered in India and Indonesia consist of reliefs and paintings representing narratives

Many Buddhist monuments discovered in India and Indonesia consist of reliefs and paintings representing narratives. The gates, or toranas, of the “Great Stupa” found at Sanchi in India are an example of reliefs representing these narratives. These reliefs were erected during the Andhra period (3rd century B.C.E. – early 1st century B.C.E.). The “Great Stupa” was a reliquary, which is said to contain the remains of Buddha’s disciples.
The “Great Stupa” at Sanchi is surrounded by four toranas, each facing a different cardinal direction (i.e. north, south, east, and west). The architecture of these four gates is almost identical. Each consists of two columns or posts which are conjoined with three cross beams known as architraves or lintels. Triratnas (symbol of Buddha, his Law, and the Monastic Order) are placed above the highest architrave on top of the two columns. The supports for the triratnas are wheels which represent “dharma” or Buddhist law. B...