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There were several methods used to narrate Śākyamuni’s story within stūpas, and one of the most intriguing approaches involved telling his story without depicting him. The spot where Śākyamuni would have been portrayed was left empty. Instead, symbolic representations occupied the space, such as an empty throne beneath the bodhi tree, his footprints, or dharmacakra. Despite Śākyamuni’s physical absence, everyone would have implicitly understood that Śākyamuni was present there. Such enigmatic symbols wield a silent power, compelling believers to sense Śākyamuni’s existence.