Buddha's footprint
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Buddha's footprint

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The Buddha's footprint is an image of the soles of Shakyamuni Buddha's feet carved into stone. In early Indian Buddhism, it was considered presumptuous to create Buddha statues, so the footprint served as an object of worship instead.

The Buddha's footprint (buttsoku) is an engraving of Shakyamuni Buddha's footprints carved into stone. In early Indian Buddhism, it was considered presumptuous to represent Shakyamuni Buddha through sculptural images. Instead, the soles of his feet, marked with sacred symbols, were carved into stone and became objects of veneration and worship.

The patterns inscribed on the soles of the feet are believed to contain the Buddha's noble teachings and compassionate heart. Since the Buddha's footprint serves as an object of worship, touching it with one's hands is permissible, though visitors are asked to handle it carefully to avoid any damage.

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