What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography ?

Approach: *Understand the aniconic tradition of early Buddhist art, where abstract symbols were used to depict key events in the Buddha's life instead of presenting him in human form.*

- **Correct Answer:** (a) The meditation of the Buddha
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- **Aniconic Tradition:** Early Buddhist artists (as seen in carvings at Sanchi and Bharhut) did not sculpt the Buddha in human form. Instead, they relied entirely on symbolic representations.
- **The Empty Seat:** An empty throne or seat (often placed under the Bodhi tree) was specifically used by sculptors to indicate the **meditation of the Buddha** leading up to his ultimate Enlightenment.
- **Significance of other symbols:**
- **The Wheel (*Dharmachakra*):** Represents the Buddha's **First Sermon** delivered at Sarnath.
- **The Stupa:** Represents his final liberation or passing away (**Mahaparinibbana**).
- **The Riderless Horse:** Represents his departure from the palace (**Mahabhinishkramana**).