Gautama Buddha -the son of Suddhodana is also called as Shakyamuni (Shakya the dynasty of Iron Age India, inhabitants of Greater Magadha- present day’s southern Nepal and northern India — Sakya ‘Ganarajya’, the independent republican state formed by Shakayas, and capital of which was Kapilavastu). Gautama Buddha -the founder of the world religion of Buddhism taught midway path between severe self-discipline and sensual indulgence, he also taught meditative practices and ‘training of mind’ that has both: ethical training and self-restraint. Buddha means the ‘Awakened or Enlightened One’, Buddha’s past lives stories collection is titled as ‘Jataka Katha’ (‘katha’, meaning tale).
The Buddha’s symbolic sculpture of Saranatha where he is seated in Padmasana -Vajra Paryankasana and giving his first preaching to five disciples is portrayed on the pedestal with the Dharma Chakra in its centre——this Dharma-Chakra Pravartana mudra was first engraved in sculptures of Saranatha — Lion Capital of Ashoka primitively endorsed this Dharma-Chakra and thus it symbolises lions serving and protecting Dharma-Chakra. The Buddhist Dharma-Chakra has vivid designs with eight, twelve, twenty-four or even more spokes. State Emblem of India has twenty-four spokes Dharma-Chakra from the Lion Capital of Ashoka——this twenty-four spokes Ashoka’s Dharma-Chakra is also present in the middle of the Indian national flag, symbolising the concept of Dharma across the nation – and, this circular Ashoka Chakra also illustrates the progressiveness of this great country.
Dimensions of Gautama Buddha is intricately woven into the rich ancient history of India.