In Buddhist thought, the Nine Qualities of the Buddha (Navanubuddhagunā) form the doctrinal foundation for understanding the Buddha’s enlightened nature. Recited in daily chants and revered in devotional practice, these attributes go beyond biography and doctrine—they express the spiritual perfection of the Buddha and serve as moral beacons for practitioners.

Over centuries, these nine qualities have not only been preserved in texts but have also shaped artistic expression, influencing how the Buddha is portrayed in sculpture, painting, and ritual iconography across South and Southeast Asia.

Each quality, while subtle in meaning, finds a visual echo in Buddhist art, offering insight into how aesthetics and philosophy are seamlessly woven together.

The Nine Qualities of the Buddha (Navanubuddhagunā)

These nine epithets are recited in Pali by Buddhists across the Theravāda world:

1. Arahaṁ – The Worthy One

2. Sammāsambuddho – The Perfectly Self-Enlightened One

3. Vijjācaraṇasampanno – Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct

4. Sugato – Well-Gone or Well-Spoken

5. Lokavidū – Knower of the Worlds

6. Anuttaro Purisadammasārathi – Incomparable Leader of Persons to Be Tamed

7. Satthā Devamanussānaṁ – Teacher of Gods and Humans

8. Buddho – The Enlightened One

9. Bhagavā – The Blessed One

Each of these attributes is richly layered with meaning—and together they articulate the supreme spiritual qualities of the Buddha. Let’s explore how these nine qualities are reflected in Buddhist art, especially in sculpture.

1. Arahaṁ – The Worthy One

Meaning: The Buddha is free from defilements (kilesas) and perfectly purified, having destroyed the cycle of craving and rebirth.

Artistic Expression:

• The aura of serenity and composure in the Buddha’s face reflects inner purity.

• Minimalist, balanced proportions in sculpture, especially in Thai and Sukhothai art, emphasize the sense of unshakeable dignity and moral perfection.

• Often seen in Buddha images with a soft, compassionate gaze and peaceful demeanor, untouched by worldly suffering.

2. Sammāsambuddho – The Perfectly Self-Enlightened One

Meaning: The Buddha achieved enlightenment by his own efforts, without instruction.

Artistic Expression:

• Sculptures often depict the Buddha seated beneath the Bodhi tree, hands in Bhumisparsha mudrā (earth-touching gesture), representing the moment of self-realization.

• This quality is commonly honored in temple murals and statuary at Bodh Gaya-style shrines, where the Buddha is shown in isolation and meditative clarity.

• Some Southeast Asian temples depict the Enlightenment scene with a halo or nimbus, signifying divine knowledge arising from within.

3. Vijjācaraṇasampanno – Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct

Meaning: The Buddha possesses supreme insight (vijjā) and ethical conduct (caraṇa), uniting wisdom and moral virtue.

Artistic Expression:

• Images may emphasize symmetrical form and proportion, reflecting harmony of insight and ethics.

• The monastic robes (sanghāti) draped in orderly folds suggest discipline and mindfulness.

• In Sri Lankan and Khmer sculpture, the open eyes of the Buddha often reflect the clarity of knowledge, while the meditative posture embodies perfect conduct.

4. Sugato – Well-Gone or Well-Spoken

Meaning: The Buddha has gone to the good destination (nirvana) and speaks in ways that lead others to goodness.

Artistic Expression:

• Smiling or serene lips represent kind and skillful speech.

• Thai and Lao Buddha sculptures sometimes feature a slight upward curve of the mouth, echoing the benevolence of Sugato.

• In some Gandharan and Gupta images, the emphasis on the elegant shape of the mouth symbolizes eloquence and compassion in speech.

5. Lokavidū – Knower of the Worlds

Meaning: The Buddha understands the full nature of existence—worldly, celestial, and beyond.

Artistic Expression:

• Sculptures of the Teaching Buddha (Dharmachakra mudrā) embody this quality, representing the Buddha turning the wheel of the Dharma.

• In temple architecture, this quality is reflected in cosmic imagery—such as lotus thrones, which symbolize the Buddha rising above samsara.

• Thai murals often show the Buddha in celestial realms, teaching gods, reinforcing his all-encompassing understanding.

6. Anuttaro Purisadammasārathi – Incomparable Leader of Persons to Be Trained

Meaning: The Buddha is unequalled in his ability to guide others toward enlightenment.

Artistic Expression:

• Depictions of the Buddha flanked by disciples (often Sariputta and Moggallana) illustrate his role as supreme teacher.

• In processional reliefs, the Buddha is shown leading groups, sometimes surrounded by monks and lay followers.

• Khmer and Burmese art emphasize the centrality of the Buddha figure, larger in scale and positioned at the highest visual point.

7. Satthā Devamanussānaṁ – Teacher of Gods and Humans

Meaning: The Buddha’s teachings are universal, offering guidance to both celestial and human realms.

Artistic Expression:

• In sculpture and painting, the Buddha may be shown teaching deities, such as Indra or Brahma, who kneel respectfully.

• This theme is frequently illustrated in murals, such as those found in Wat Pho (Bangkok), showing celestial figures in respectful postures.

• The lotus pedestal itself sometimes symbolizes divine acknowledgment of his teaching authority.

8. Buddho – The Enlightened One

Meaning: The Buddha is awakened, fully liberated from ignorance and delusion.

Artistic Expression:

• The Buddha in Dhyāna mudrā (meditation gesture), often seated in full lotus, exemplifies perfect realization.

• A halo or ushnisha (cranial protuberance) in sculpture represents expanded consciousness and spiritual attainment.

• Sculptures of the Transcendent Buddha, often abstracted in stylized form, emphasize his luminous mind.

9. Bhagavā – The Blessed One

Meaning: The Buddha is exalted, revered, and endowed with all virtues worthy of veneration.

Artistic Expression:

• Regal yet simple aesthetics: the elongated earlobes, urna (forehead mark), and ushnisha symbolize his superhuman qualities.

• Gold leaf, gemstones, or radiant metals are often used in Southeast Asian sculpture to honor his blessed nature.

• In shrine rooms, the central and largest Buddha image often represents the Bhagavā, surrounded by smaller images or symbolic motifs like lions, lotuses, or guardian figures.

The Nine Qualities in Chant and Ritual

These nine qualities are not only visualized—they are chanted daily in Pali by devotees across Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Laos, and Cambodia. The recitation serves to:

• Cultivate mindfulness of the Buddha (Buddhānussati)

• Inspire moral purification and faith

• Protect the mind from fear, doubt, and delusion

This combination of ritual sound and visual form ensures that the Buddha’s nine qualities remain deeply embedded in the spiritual life of the community.

Conclusion

The Nine Qualities of the Buddha offer more than doctrinal insight—they shape the visual language of devotion in Buddhist art. Across cultures and centuries, these qualities have inspired graceful lines, meditative postures, and serene faces that bring the ineffable presence of the Buddha into material form.

Whether carved in stone, cast in bronze, or painted on temple walls, Buddhist artists have translated these spiritual attributes into timeless forms of reverence, inviting viewers into contemplation and aspiration.