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A Buddha image is not only a symbol of the historical person but the human qualities that he perfected; compassion, wisdom, patience, generosity, kindness etc. Buddha images in human form appeared much later than the construction and worship of stupas and other symbols. His presence was originally indicated by footprints, by a standing woman (his mother) representing his birth, a tree the Enlightenment, a wheel the Doctrine and the First Sermon, and the stupa his …

…the merciful Amitabha or seen as Avalokitesvara (Kuanyin- China and Kannon - Japan). In the 12th century the influence of the samurai class inspired a more energetic and aggressive image with an exciting body of muscular and violent sculpture. In the 17th century changing political positions had Buddhism in refuse but the support of ordinary people proved its deliverance. In the 14 century the Zen sect had come to control the arts by the 14teh century.