Final answer:
The Buddha's aniconic representation at Sanchi shows a symbolic reverence void of physical form, reflecting the principles of Buddhist art and emphasizing enlightenment over material existence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The representation of the worship of Buddha at the Pipal Tree in the high relief at Sanchi is a celebrated example of aniconic (non-figural) art in Buddhism. These reliefs were designed with a hierarchical order, where characters have proportions determined by their spiritual or social status. The aniconic depiction, symbolized as a tree rather than in human form, avoids portraying the physical essence of the Buddha, instead, focusing on his divine nature and the reverence of his teachings. The use of a horseshoe arch in the Sanchi relief represents the synthesis of different architectural styles and is indicative of the cross-cultural exchanges influencing Buddhist art.
Artistic considerations in Buddhist art are heavily influenced by symbolic and artistic principles. Rather than using human imagery, artists often depicted the Buddha through symbols like the Pipal Tree, footprints, or the Dharma wheel, to suggest his presence and teachings. This symbolic portrayal may reflect cultural taboos against graven images or an artistic choice to focus on the universal principles of Buddhism rather than the personal qualities of its founder.
Overall, the symbolic and artistic representations in Buddhist aniconic art stress the importance of the teachings and the universal qualities of enlightenment over the physical form of the Buddha, which aligns perfectly with the core principles of Buddhism itself, emphasizing detachment from the material aspects of existence.