Seruwavila, Sri Lanka.

In the early days after the Parinibbana of Lord Buddha, worship of an image of Lord Buddha was not practiced by his followers. Nibbana was 'Nothingness'. To remind his followers of this Great Teacher various images like the 'sacred foot-prints', an empty chair or throne, an umbrella, a 'chamara'. were used. The carving of the sacred foot-print on stone, formed the center-piece of many early Buddhist
places of worship. The second and third pictures show such a place at Seruwavila. Image worship came after the Second Century - Present Era and has now become the main place of worship.