Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.37

v2.c11.37

The railing and gate of Buddhist architecture in Buddhist holy land such as Bharhut, Gaya and Sanchi were very important carvings after Maurya Dynasty. Sanchi Piller Relief was the most representative one, and these works were created in the early Andhra Dynasty from 1ˢᵗ century BCE to early 1ˢᵗ century CE, being surrounded by stone railings and stone gate in four directions. Piller relief was to show Buddha’s *Jataka* story and Buddha biography story. But at that time, there was no Buddhist statute, so wheels, footprint and Bodhi leaves were used to represent the Buddha in the technique of symbolism. The carvings of the Great Stupa at Sanchi had large scale, fine skill, exquisite cutting technique and mature modeling and was a rare masterpiece.