Empty throne
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The Buddha's attainment of nirvana is often depicted by an empty throne in early Buddhist art. According to some traditions, the Buddha was seated on a throne beneath the bodhi tree when he achieved enlightenment. Once he had attained parinirvana, the throne became empty, but it remained a symbol of his great spiritual achievement. The empty throne is thus symbolic not only of a release from earthly suffering, but also the absolute release attained at one's death.
