The Earth Goddess in Buddhist Art
Summary
The article titled 'The Earth Goddess in Buddhist Art' discusses how Buddhist texts and iconography depict the earth goddess assisting the Buddha during the Great Enlightenment. It traces the mythological development of the earth‑touching gesture from early Buddhist scriptures through later commentaries and art. The author compares versions of the story in the Mahāvastu, Pali commentaries, Nidanakatha and Lalitavistara, showing how the goddess goes from silently quaking the earth to speaking and appearing as a jeweled figure. The study also examines regional variations in Burma, Siam and Cambodia and notes that in Siamese Buddhism the earth goddess becomes an independent deity called Vasundharā whose iconography is influenced by local sculpture. Drawing on Vedic hymns and Purāṇic concepts, the article explores possible pre‑Buddhist origins of the goddess and argues that the motif of water flowing from her hair may derive from ancient Indian images of the earth nourished by rain. Overall, it blends textual, artistic and historical evidence to explain how a minor figure in early Buddhist legend evolved into a prominent independent goddess in Southeast Asian Buddhism.
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Conclusion
The article concludes that the earth‑goddess motif in Buddhist art evolved from early Pali stories into a rich iconography influenced by local cultures. By tracing textual sources and comparing sculptures from India and Southeast Asia, it shows that the image of a goddess wringing water from her hair symbolizes the earth’s bounty and moral witness. This evolution illustrates the adaptability of Buddhist mythology and highlights how local traditions shaped universal symbols into diverse regional forms.