Vajrasana, Bodh Gaya

The Vajrasana in the early 20th century

The Vajrasana, together with the remnants of the ancient temple built by Ashoka, was excavated by archaeologist Alexander Cunningham (1814-1893), who published his discovery and related research of the Mahabodhi Temple in his 1892 book Mahâbodhi, or the great Buddhist temple under the Bodhi tree at Buddha-Gaya.

As it survives now, the Vajrasana is a thick slab of polished grey sandstone, 7 feet 10-inches long by 4 feet 7-inches broad, and 6-inches thick. The whole top surface was carved with geometrical patterns, circular in the middle, with a double border of squares.[5]

The Diamond Throne and the Pillars of Ashoka

Discovery of Ashoka's Diamond throne in Bodh Gaya in 1892, near the spot of the Buddha's illumination and the Boddhi tree.

Side decorative bands of the Diamond Throne (top) and the Sanchi pillar capital (bottom), both featuring geese and flame palmettes.

Front decorative friezes of the Diamond Throne (top) and the Sankissa pillar capital (bottom), both alternating flame palmettes, rosettes and lotuses.

The sculpted decorations on the Diamond Throne clearly echo the decorations found on the Pillars of Ashoka.[6] The Diamond Throne has a decorative band made on the sides of carvings of honeysuckles and geese, which can also be found on several of the pillar capitals of Ashoka,[7] such as the Rampurva capitals, and also pigeons on the back relief, nowadays hidden from view.[5] The geese (hamsa) in particular are a very recurrent symbol on the pillars of Ashoka, and may refer to the devotees flocking to the faith.[1] The same throne is also illustrated in later reliefs from Bharhut, dated to circa 100 BCE.[8]

The long frieze at the front is slightly different, and consists in stylized lotuses with multiple calyx, alternating with "flame palmettes" of a slightly simpler design than on the side. A rather similar design can also be seen in the lost frieze of the Allahabad pillar of Ashoka.

The vajrasana has carvings on all sides, suggesting that the original temple built by Ashoka (bodhigriha) was open on all sides, an hammiya structure.[1] The small statues at the foot of the throne are of a later date, probably Kushan or Gupta.[5]

Anagarika Dharmapala (1864-1933) at the Vajrasana. The throne appears clearly in its exact shape, with supporting columns.

Bharhut relief with the Vajrasana (similar to the Anagarika Dharmapala photograph with its supporting columns), and the Mahabodhi Temple around the Bodhi Tree (2nd century BCE).[9]

The Vajrasana was built by Ashoka in order to mark the place where the Buddha reached enlightenment.[10][11] Ashoka is thought to have visited Bodh Gaya around 260 BCE, about 10 years into his reign, as explained by his Rock Edict number VIII.[12] He describes his visit to Bodh Gaya, known in ancient times as Sambodhi ("complete enlightenement") or Uruvela ("Original ancient name of Bodh gaya as mentioned in Pali Canon's Paṭhamauruvelasutta of Anguttara Nikaya and Bodhi Sutta of Khuddaka Nikaya and many other Pali Suttas(Sutras)"):[13]

In times past the Devanampriyas (Kings) used to set out on so-called pleasure-tours.

On these (tours) hunting and other such pleasures were (enjoyed).

When king Devanampriya Priyadarsin had been anointed ten years, he went out to Sambodhi.

Therefore tours of morality (were undertaken) here.

On these (tours) the following takes place, (viz.) visiting Sramanas and Brahmanas and making gifts (to them), visiting the aged and supporting (them) with gold, visiting the people of the country, instructing (them) in morality, and questioning (them) about morality, as suitable for this (occasion).

This second period (of the reign) of king Devanampriya Priyadarsin becomes a pleasure in a higher degree.

— 8th Major Rock Edict. Translation by E. Hultzsch. Inscriptions of Asoka p.36-37. Public Domain.

The throne slab dating from the time of Ashoka, was built when Ashoka established the first Bodh Gaya temple around the Bodhi tree circa 260 BCE.[7] The throne was initially found hidden behind a bigger throne of the Kushan period, and an even bigger one, probably from the Pala period. It is thought that the Vajrasana was initially located at the bottom of the original Bodhi tree.[7] The slab is made of polished sandstone, and dated to the time of Ashoka.[7] This is the oldest known piece of architecture at Bodh Gaya.[7]

The Vajrasana as illustrated in Bharhut (2nd century BCE).

According to the inscribed Bharhut relief related to the Vajrasana, the original Mahabodhi Temple of Asoka was an open pavilion supported on pillars. In the middle is seen the Vajrasana decorated in front with four flat pilasters. Behind the Throne appears the trunk of the Bodhi Tree, which rises up high above the building, and on each side of the Tree there is a combined symbol of the Triratna and the Dharmachakra, standing on the top of a short pillar. On each side of the Vajrasana room there is a side room of the same style. The top of the Throne is ornamented with flowers, but there is no figure of Buddha.[8]

The relief bears the inscription: "Bhagavato Sakamunino Bodho" ("The Bodhi (Tree) of the divine Shakyamuni", or "The illumination of the Blessed Sakyamuni"),[14] thereby confirming the meaning of the relief.[8]