Foot-print in stone, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

In the early centuries after the 'Parinibbana' of Lord Buddha, His memory was celebrated using signs. Thus foot-prints, an empty chair, a parasol or a chamara were the articles used in worship. This had a good theological foundation for the Lord Buddha 'ceased to exist' when he attained 'Parinibbana'. Around the first century BC, images representing   Lord Buddha began to appear. The Jains also worshipped foot prints of their leader. This photo was taken by Charaka Wickremasinghe in Anuradhapura Sri Lanka.