In the second century CE a kingdom called Gandhara extended through the regions that today would include parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. Some of the first images of the Buddha were produced here, in a region that was strongly influenced by Hellenism since this was an area that had been conquered by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE. In its beginnings, Buddhism had been an aniconic religion, that is, a religion that forbade the creation of an image of the god. But later centuries saw that rule relaxed and soon Buddha images were common. The Gandharan Buddhas almost look like depictions of the god Apollo, and the undulating drapery of the Gandharan Buddhas’ robes appear equally classicizing. They are among the most beautiful images of the Buddha ever created. I took this picture in the Archaeological Museum in New Delhi. His elongated ears indicate his earlier life as a prince (from heavy, golden earrings), the dot in his forehead (the urna) the third eye of consciousness, and the bun of hair on the top of his head (the ushnisha) also symbolizing his enlightenment.