인도 불전도의 성수(聖樹)의 의미와 표현

Abstract

Shakyamuni was born under the ashoka tree, achieved the enlightenment under the bodhi tree, and entered nirvana under the twin sal trees. Considering that birth, enlightenment, and Nirvana are the three most important events in the biography of Buddha, the ashoka tree, the Bodhi tree and the twin sal trees are also considered important trees(聖樹) in Buddhism. This paper examined what type of plants are the three sacred trees of Buddhism and how they are mentioned in the scriptures. I also studied how they are depicted in the Buddhist reliefs describing scenes from the life of Shakyamuni. As a result, the ashoka tree was sometimes depicted in the same shape as it is in reality, but in most cases, it was formalized in the form of canopy over Queen Maya's head. The Bodhi tree was often served as a symbol of Buddha in the age of absence of statues in Buddhist art, but appeared full-fledged with Buddha from the Gandhara Buddhist reliefs describing scenes from the life of Shakyamuni. In the early Buddhist reliefs the Bodhi tree was depicted in a similar way to the actual tree, but later it changed into a formalized tree. Its shape is divided into the "halo type around the head" and the "canopy type". After Sarnath, the role of the Bodhi tree is gradually replaced by the halo around the head. In the case of the sal tree, there are two on the left and right sides of the Buddha in Nirvana. This is represented by twin sal trees, but in some cases there are three. The depiction of the three sacred trees in Buddhist reliefs describing scenes from the life of Shakyamuni has gradually changed from the realistic portrayal of the Gandhara style to a formal style, and their role has been reduced. This is related to the fact that the perception of Shakyamuni was gradually changing from a real person to the transcendental Buddha. I hope this study helps deepen research on Indian Buddha's Life Relief