S C U L P T U R E O F S R I L A N K A
Because of Sri Lanka’s proximity to India, it received the influence of Indian Buddhist sculpture earlier than other SE Asian countries, as Buddhism came to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century. Many of the sculptures are carved directly out of rock, and are very large.
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![Parinirvana](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1573794648083-9DBZV6YFN4H7CDL1JWWH/H-57+-+Parinirvana+-+Sri+Lanka+-+E.jpg)
Parinirvana
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![Parinirvana](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1573794649068-640ZRUP106H3J02A4FCL/H-58+-+Parinirvana%2C+Detail+-+E.jpg)
Parinirvana
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![Buddha](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1573794652812-L1RXU0ILW4NCYQB50XLK/H-60+-+Buddha+-+Sri+Lanka+20C+-+E.jpg)
Buddha
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![Parinirvana, Music Box](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1573794657133-5CSPHF8IIZLG1PBKTXGB/H-61+-+Parinirvana%2C+Music+Box+-+Sri+Lanka+18C+-+E.jpg)
Parinirvana, Music Box
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![Anuradhapura Bodhisattva](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578894755383-QMCKYE2MTNUQIHCA2MER/Sri+Lanka+12+-+Anuradhapura+-+Bodhisattva+-+1981+copy.jpg)
Anuradhapura Bodhisattva
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![Buddha](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578894894198-HCH2YCT3B4HZRHX43TP6/H-56+-+Buddha+-+Sri+Lanka+12C+-+E+copy+2.jpg)
Buddha
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![Polonnaruwa, Female Goddess](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578894985834-SXF1TBQ4WGJLH7FQ5FDA/Sri+Lanka+28+-+Polonnaruwa+-+Female+Goddess+-+1981+copy.jpg)
Polonnaruwa, Female Goddess
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![Dambulla](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578894998625-Q93U1VH9C8CWE7JVFAES/Sri+Lanka+32+-+Dambulla+-+1982+copy.jpg)
Dambulla
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![Ankana, Standing Buddha](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895177358-DJILU18D5OEFIDDS15N7/Sri+Lanka+33+-+Ankana+-+Standing+Buddha+-+1981+copy.jpg)
Ankana, Standing Buddha
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![Buddha](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895195813-DOVPN0V6EXXQ1A4HIWHS/Sri+Lanka+35+-+Kandy+-+1982+copy.jpg)
Buddha
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![Buddha](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895210847-5N6HXKEC8US8LK4UJCR4/Sri+Lanka+38+-+Kandy+-+1982_edited-1+copy.jpg)
Buddha
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![Polonnaruwa](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895235339-5O8IMPTGXPRDK1R6YXWE/Sri+Lanka+48+-+Polonnaruwa+-+Ruins+-1981+copy.jpg)
Polonnaruwa
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![Polonnaruwa](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895644121-PWRK0MPF6717V73128HI/Sri+Lanka+50+-+Polonnaruwa+-+1982+copy.jpg)
Polonnaruwa
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![Polonnaruwa](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895654796-35BQ1Z2U4ZT6V1NL7H8S/Sri+Lanka+51+-+Polonnaruwa+-+1982+copy.jpg)
Polonnaruwa
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![Aukana](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895665967-AVNIYON13MNTKXJ1GWRM/Sri+Lanka+55+-+Aukana+-+1982+copy.jpg)
Aukana
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![Polonnaruwa](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895679585-B46TLQQ7XPRY9O0W3RXH/Sri+Lanka+56+-+Polonnaruwa+-+1982+copy.jpg)
Polonnaruwa
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![Polonnaruwa](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895856008-LWA31HQI70FDABEN0N0U/Sri+Lanka+62+-+Polonnaruwa+-+1982+copy.jpg)
Polonnaruwa
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![Buddha, Polonnaruwa](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895868953-40IBIWOAE3JSZ2DYK6BO/Sri+Lanka+63+-+Polonnaruwa+-+1982+copy.jpg)
Buddha, Polonnaruwa
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![Buddha's Feet at Polonnaruwa](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895883474-KGP8H69O9MWVTZI71ISB/Sri+Lanka+64+-+Polonnaruwa+-+1982+copy.jpg)
Buddha's Feet at Polonnaruwa
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![Polonnaruwa](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895895821-HL6L1ZHNZ7Y0U4TVYWWR/Sri+Lanka+118+-+Polonnaruwa+-+1982+copy.jpg)
Polonnaruwa
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![Polonnaruwa](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895922297-FYJSH4C00NK190ED7YXF/Sri+Lanka+120+-+Polonnaruwa+-+1982+copy.jpg)
Polonnaruwa
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![Buddha at Polonnaruwa](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895934886-KU9DXS27WXWTH91RMX23/Sri+Lanka+131+-+Polonnaruwa+-+1982+copy.jpg)
Buddha at Polonnaruwa
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![Buddha](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895938890-J21VTZI0OCVP2H5KWUTB/H-60+-+Buddha+-+Sri+Lanka+20C+-+E+copy.jpg)
Buddha
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![Reclining Buddha at Polonnaruwa](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1578895951314-LKH3S43HXXOA7M1C1OS9/Sri+Lanka+133+-+Polonnaruwa+-+1982+copy.jpg)
Reclining Buddha at Polonnaruwa
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![Ananda Lamenting the Buddha's Death](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580611177146-XCJNT6ZIFSLN76WRB4P9/Ananda+Lameting+the+Buddha%27s+Death+Sri+lanka%2C+12th+Century.jpg)
Ananda Lamenting the Buddha's Death
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![Avalokitesvara with Amitabha](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580611186906-YEE25D36BAXQ4DSR6TT7/Avalokiteshvara+with+Amitabha+Cambodia+7th+C.jpg)
Avalokitesvara with Amitabha
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![Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580611187394-XDWF6W380YLMQTYZVUYK/Bodhisattva_Avalokitesvara+Sri+Lanka+8th+Century.jpg)
Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara
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![Gal Viharaya](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580611390287-QPDKOQ0DFI1MNKDKLJG0/Gal_Viharaya+Sri+Lanka++12th+Century.jpg)
Gal Viharaya
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![Bronze Tara](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580611392535-ZRESKBH0N2QSDQUCRD45/Gilded+bronze+statue+of+the+Tara+Bodhisattva%2C+from+the+Anuradhapura+period+%288th+century%29+Sri+Lanka.jpg)
Bronze Tara
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![Seated Buddha](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580611394375-5OXIQY3XM3XUQ73J5OTV/Seated+Buddha%2C+Vijjadhara+Guha+-+Sri+Lanka+12th+Century+.jpg)
Seated Buddha
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![Buddha](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580612070833-5PJNDUGM7WJ0QGJCNSFC/Sri+Lanka+6+-+Polonnaruwa+-+Buddha+-+1981.jpg)
Buddha
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![Buddha](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580612083609-L70RBIQEO2WNHVIPW4UF/Sri+Lanka+22+-+Anaradhapura+-+Buddha+-+1981.jpg)
Buddha
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![Buddha's feet](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580612097216-99SK1ABNWE7ZH459Q0A0/Sri+Lanka+28+-+Sigiriya+-+1982.jpg)
Buddha's feet
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![Buddha's Footprints](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580612330274-2X0XC9ZROCS9D8NABVV2/Sri+Lanka+47+-+Anuradhapura+-+1982.jpg)
Buddha's Footprints
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![Buddha's Footprints](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580612340650-8IBW78P9OBPAUXSHFWJH/Sri+Lanka+54+-+Aukana+-+1982.jpg)
Buddha's Footprints
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![Relief Carving](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580612454733-G6LER7OY6UQF6Y2I3MDB/Sri+Lanka+58+-+Polonnaruwa+-+1982.jpg)
Relief Carving
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![Relief](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580612463492-MD61DUHV7MR1U0VPPD5D/Sri+Lanka+36+-+Kandy+-+1982.jpg)
Relief
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![Relief](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580612475412-HZAO0I58GJVFGRW62KFB/Sri+Lanka+105+-+Kandy+-+1982.jpg)
Relief
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![Elephant Relief Carving](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580612926732-PL64FZ9FDG56HHGFSJFG/Sri+Lanka+113+-+Anuradhapura+-+1982.jpg)
Elephant Relief Carving
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![Elephant Carvings on Buddhist Shrine](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580612936440-626THHKJ5EOHM1E0QF38/Sri+Lanka+114+-+Tangalle+Beach+-+1982.jpg)
Elephant Carvings on Buddhist Shrine
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![Buddha's feet](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580613197880-DIOFZVWCKS7EOGN2A2IN/Sri+Lanka+124+-+Aukana+-+1982.jpg)
Buddha's feet
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![Ananda](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580613210591-3QIK4LUND3IE27MBLSB6/Sri+Lanka+132+-+Polonnaruwa+-+1982.jpg)
Ananda
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![Buddha](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d65c6ed7e0ce00001fbd195/1580613213389-LYHL2YQX3MPA6ZIJYY9Z/Sri_lanka_aukana_buddha_statue+5th+Century+Sri+Lanka.jpg)
Buddha