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Buddha means "Awakened
one" or "Enlightened one. Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, in Sanskrit, or
Siddhartha Gotama, in Pali, was a spiritual teacher from ancient
India and the founder of Buddhism. He is generally recognized by
Buddhists as the Supreme Buddha of our age. The precise nature of
such a supreme Buddha - whether "merely" human or a transcendental,
immortal, god-transcending being - is differently construed in
Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Gautama, also known as Sakyamuni or
Shakyamuni (sage of the Shakyas), is the key figure in Buddhism, and
accounts of his life, discourses, and monastic rules were said to
have been summarized after his death and memorized by the sangha.
Scholars are increasingly reluctant to make unqualified claims about
the historical facts of the Buddha's life and teachings.
The stone carving
tradition in India is one of the richest in the world. Stone carving
is an ancient activity where pieces of rough natural stone are shaped
by the controlled removal of stone. Art of Stone Statues and
Collectibles is the poetic expression of stone craft. Sculptures of
Hindu deities, modelled on classical prototypes, continue to be made
in many parts of India. In Tamil Nadu such sculptures are made in
granite. In Karnataka, exquisite figures carved in relief in black
stone, with details engraved in fine lines, come out in greyish-
white against the black surface. Softer stones are used in Orissa,
which are easy to carve. The fully carved jali-worked, in Jaisalmer
in Rajasthan, are most intricately done. The artisans in Gujarat are
engaged in the art of cutting and polishing semi-precious stones. One
can see the life like images being skillfully sculptured in different
varieties of stone across the state. In Jaipur, white marble is used
for carving out statues of gods and goddesses as well as animal and
human figures.
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