[Buddha-l] Meditating Buddha

[Joy Vriens]

F.K. Lehman (F.K.L. Chit Hlaing) wrote:

> Or, in plain language, any such iconic representation is almost 
> necessarily Symbolic in its canons of representation, and it is (or it 
> ought to be) well understood) that symbolism is 'multivocal', that a 
> symbol, or at any rate an effective one, does not have A meaning but 
> rather (as the French Anthropologist D. Sperber long ago pointed out) a 
> large 'aura' of  suggestive associations.

Intentional or less intentional associations. Yes, I think that sums it 
up nicely.

> So, yes, it the usual icon 
> represents various different 'stages' in Gotama's whole trajectory, 
> usable for various didactic purposes; and the 'smile' probably does, at 
> least inter alia, suggest [peace and so on.

And not only Gotama's. The appeal is larger than Gotama's personal 
trajectory. At the time of its first appearances, the icon must have 
felt "good" and familiar, because it was archetypal.

Joy