Which are the important symbols related to the Buddha?
A. Bodhi tree
B. Camel
C. Mango tree
D. Stupa
E. Dharma Chakra
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A, D, E only
Many early sculptors did not show the Buddha in human form; they showed his presence through symbols.
A. Bodhi tree Correct. The Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under a tree, and sculptures show people worshipping the Bodhi tree; the tree symbolises that event in his life.
B. Camel Incorrect. The camel is not one of the symbols by which early sculptors showed the Buddha’s presence, such as the empty seat, the tree, the stupa and the wheel.
C. Mango tree Incorrect. The tree that stands for the Buddha is the Bodhi tree, under which he attained enlightenment, not a mango tree.
D. Stupa Correct. The stupa was meant to represent the mahaparinibbana, the Buddha’s passing away.
E. Dharma Chakra Correct. The wheel stood for the first sermon of the Buddha, delivered at Sarnath, when he set in motion the wheel of dharma.
Note: The term ‘Dharma Chakra’ is not used in the NCERT book (2026-27), which speaks of the wheel and of “setting in motion the wheel of dharma”. Dharma Chakra means the wheel of dharma; it is explained here for the benefit of the students.
NCERT (2026-27): “9.2 Symbols of worship … Art historians had to acquire familiarity with hagiographies of the Buddha in order to understand Buddhist sculpture. According to hagiographies, the Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under a tree. Many early sculptors did not show the Buddha in human form – instead, they showed his presence through symbols. The empty seat (Fig. 4.14) was meant to indicate the meditation of the Buddha, and the stupa (Fig. 4.15) was meant to represent the mahaparinibbana. Another frequently used symbol was the wheel (Fig. 4.16). This stood for the first sermon of the Buddha, delivered at Sarnath.…”
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