the Buddha did not appear in the Buddhist art of southern India. Or rather his representation was symbolic. He was depicted as a wheel, or his presence was indicated by a throne and footprints.

Drawing on the National Museum of Asian Art's collections and collecions from across the Smithsonian, artworks spanning two millennia reveal Asia's rich Buddhist heritage. They represent diverse ...

"The worship of footprints are a major element ... and it's one of the oldest known Buddhist symbols found in Indian art. In the sculpture Buddha's fingers stand in for the spokes of the wheel ...