Votive panels in Buddhism hold deep spiritual and cultural significance, serving as expressions of devotion, gratitude, and the aspiration for enlightenment. These panels, often found in temples, monasteries, caves, and shrines, are created as offerings by devotees or patrons and feature intricate depictions of the Buddha, bodhisattvas, or scenes from Buddhist teachings.

They play an essential role in Buddhist ritual practice and art, embodying the intersection of devotion and artistic expression while reflecting key aspects of Buddhist beliefs about merit-making, karma, and spiritual progress.

This blog post delves into the origins, meaning, and importance of votive panels in Buddhism, exploring their history, symbolism, and their role in Buddhist worship and the pursuit of enlightenment.

What Are Votive Panels?

Votive panels, also referred to as votive tablets or votive plaques, are small, often rectangular or square, carved or sculpted reliefs that depict religious imagery. These panels are commonly made of clay, stone, metal, or wood and are typically placed in sacred spaces, such as temples, stupas, or caves, as offerings to the Buddha or bodhisattvas.

In some cases, votive panels are inscribed with prayers or sacred texts, while others feature elaborate images of deities, important moments from the life of the Buddha, or other Buddhist symbols such as stupas, lotuses, and dharma wheels. These panels are often created as acts of devotion and merit-making, reflecting the believer’s desire to accumulate good karma and gain spiritual benefits for themselves or others.

The Symbolism and Meaning of Votive Panels

Acts of Devotion and Merit-Making

One of the primary purposes of votive panels in Buddhism is merit-making, the practice of performing good deeds to accumulate positive karma, which is believed to lead to better rebirths and eventual liberation from the cycle of samsara (the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth). In Buddhist thought, acts of devotion, including the creation and offering of votive panels, are seen as ways to purify the mind, cultivate virtue, and generate spiritual merit.

• Offering to the Buddha: Votive panels often depict the Buddha in various poses, such as meditating, teaching, or blessing. By offering these panels, devotees express their reverence for the Buddha’s teachings and their dedication to the Buddhist path. These offerings are symbolic acts of surrendering ego and cultivating selflessness, generosity, and humility.
• Commemorating Enlightenment: Many votive panels commemorate the Buddha’s enlightenment and the path to spiritual liberation. Scenes depicting key moments in the Buddha’s life, such as his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree or his first sermon at Sarnath, remind devotees of the ultimate goal of Buddhism: achieving nirvana and escaping the suffering of samsara.

Prayer and Protection

In addition to merit-making, votive panels often serve as physical embodiments of prayers for protection, health, or spiritual blessings. Devotees commission or create these panels as a means of asking for divine intervention or guidance, whether in the form of protection from harm, assistance in overcoming obstacles, or help in achieving a peaceful and virtuous life.

• Invoking the Bodhisattvas: Many votive panels feature images of bodhisattvas, enlightened beings who have vowed to help others attain enlightenment. Bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara (the bodhisattva of compassion) or Manjushri (the bodhisattva of wisdom) are frequently depicted on votive panels, symbolizing the devotee’s prayer for guidance, wisdom, or compassion in their own spiritual journey.
• Amuletic Protection: Votive panels are sometimes believed to possess protective or amuletic properties, serving as talismans that guard against illness, misfortune, or negative spiritual influences. In this context, the act of offering a votive panel is also a request for divine protection and blessings.

Commemoration and Dedication

Votive panels are often created to commemorate important life events, such as births, deaths, and other significant milestones. They can be dedicated to specific individuals, such as family members, teachers, or ancestors, as a way of transferring merit to others or expressing gratitude for their influence or presence in the devotee’s life.

• Commemorating the Deceased: In some Buddhist traditions, votive panels are created in memory of deceased loved ones as a means of transferring merit to them. This practice is rooted in the belief that the accumulation of merit can benefit the deceased in their journey through samsara, potentially improving their karmic circumstances and aiding in their rebirth.
• Dedication of Spiritual Practice: Votive panels may also be created as offerings in connection with significant moments in one’s spiritual practice. For instance, after completing a pilgrimage, retreat, or intensive period of meditation, a devotee may offer a votive panel as a way of dedicating the merits of their spiritual practice to the Buddha or bodhisattvas.

Historical and Cultural Context of Votive Panels

Origins of Votive Panels in Early Buddhist Art

The tradition of creating votive panels dates back to the early days of Buddhism, particularly in regions like India, Nepal, Tibet, and Southeast Asia. One of the earliest examples of votive panels can be traced to the ancient stupas and monasteries of India, where pilgrims and monks would carve small plaques as offerings during their visits to sacred sites.

• Bodh Gaya: One of the most famous early examples of votive panels can be found at Bodh Gaya, the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment. Pilgrims to Bodh Gaya, particularly during the Gupta and Pala periods (4th to 12th centuries CE), would create votive panels featuring images of the Buddha in various postures, particularly those associated with enlightenment.
• Ajanta and Ellora Caves: In the cave complexes of Ajanta and Ellora in India, votive panels depicting Buddhist scenes were carved into the walls as expressions of devotion by the monks and patrons who resided in or visited the caves. These votive panels are valuable examples of early Buddhist art and provide insights into the devotional practices of the time.

Spread Across Asia: Votive Panels in Tibet, China, and Southeast Asia

As Buddhism spread beyond India to Tibet, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, the practice of creating votive panels evolved and adapted to local artistic traditions and religious practices. The materials, styles, and motifs of votive panels varied depending on the region, but their core purpose of devotion, merit-making, and spiritual aspiration remained consistent.

• Tibetan Votive Tablets (Tsa Tsa): In Tibetan Buddhism, votive tablets known as Tsa Tsa are made from clay or plaster and typically feature images of the Buddha, stupas, or protective deities. These Tsa Tsa tablets are often placed in stupas, shrines, or mountain caves, and they serve as important tools for personal and collective merit-making in Tibetan Buddhist practice.
• Chinese Votive Tablets: In Chinese Buddhism, votive panels frequently depict scenes from the Pure Land, a Buddhist paradise associated with the bodhisattva Amitabha. These panels are often commissioned by devotees seeking rebirth in the Pure Land or wishing to accumulate merit for themselves and their families.

Votive Panels in Southeast Asia

In countries like Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia, votive panels remain an important part of Buddhist temple art and architecture. In Thailand, for example, small votive tablets known as Phra Kruang are worn as amulets for protection and are commonly offered to temples as acts of devotion. These tablets often depict images of the Buddha or other important figures in Thai Buddhism, and they are highly prized for their spiritual and protective qualities.

Votive Panels in Contemporary Buddhist Practice

Personal Devotion and Pilgrimage

In modern Buddhist practice, votive panels continue to be created by devotees as expressions of personal devotion and spiritual commitment. In many cases, pilgrims visiting sacred Buddhist sites will create or purchase votive panels to leave at the site as a mark of their visit and their dedication to the Buddhist path.

• Pilgrimage Sites: Pilgrimage remains a central aspect of Buddhist practice in many parts of the world, and the offering of votive panels is an important part of this tradition. At sites like Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, or Kushinagar, where the Buddha passed into Parinirvana, pilgrims often leave votive panels or tablets as a way of marking their spiritual journey and generating merit.

Contemporary Artistic Interpretations

In addition to traditional votive panels, contemporary Buddhist artists have begun to reinterpret the practice of creating these offerings in new and innovative ways. While many modern panels still adhere to traditional themes and styles, others incorporate abstract or symbolic elements that reflect the artist’s personal interpretation of Buddhist teachings and values.

• Artistic Renewal: In some cases, modern votive panels are created as part of community art projects or exhibitions that explore the intersection of faith, art, and cultural heritage. These contemporary interpretations of votive panels reflect the enduring relevance of this ancient practice and its ability to adapt to changing cultural and artistic contexts.

Conclusion: The Enduring Significance of Votive Panels in Buddhism

Votive panels in Buddhism are more than just artistic representations of religious figures or symbols—they are tangible expressions of faith, devotion, and the desire for spiritual progress. By creating and offering votive panels, devotees participate in the practice of merit-making, seek protection and blessings, and commemorate significant moments in their spiritual journeys.

Throughout history, votive panels have served as bridges between the physical and spiritual worlds, embodying the Buddhist ideals of compassion, wisdom, and enlightenment.

Whether found in ancient cave temples, modern shrines, or personal altars, votive panels continue to play a vital role in the devotional life of Buddhists, offering a timeless reminder of the power of faith, art, and spiritual aspiration.