First image of the Buddha?

So there are some sources where the first Buddha representations were Gandhar, but then I learned about the Mauryan Empire, which included Ashoka.

They have an Aniconism in Buddhism period, but there is some controversy with that idea. I used to think that the Buddha said to not represent him, but then I read where he just didn't want that during his lifetime. So I'm not sure if it's true that there was an aniconic period.

Some think the first Buddha statue was in Mathura art instead of Gandhar, seen below:

Instead of this Gandhar one:

Anyway, these are 2 early images of the Buddha.

I find early Buddhist archaeology fascinating, but I haven't read the latest book that purported to be more authentic Buddhism because of archaeology information. I can't find the link now to the book.

SN22.87 “What is there to see in this vile body? He who sees Dhamma, Vakkali, sees me; he who sees me sees Dhamma. Truly seeing Dhamma, one sees me; seeing me one sees Dhamma." (Also p. 197 in The Life of the Buddha by Bhikkhu Nanamoli)


“ Can a shrine be made, Sir, during your life?”—“No, Ananda, not a body-shrine; that kind is made when a Buddha enters Nirvana. A shrine of memorial is improper because the connection depends on the imagination only. But the great bo-tree used by the Buddhas is fit for a shrine, be they alive or be they dead.”—“Sir, while you are away on pilgrimage the great monastery of Jetavana is unprotected, and the people have no place where they can show their reverence. Shall I plant a seed of the great bo-tree before the gateway of Jetavana?”—“By all means so do, Ananda, and that shall be as it were an abiding place for me.” Jataka 479

silk and Gandhar

I thought this website expressed the dilemma well: 

"Do we go on killing billions of innocent insects or do we somehow stop silk production, which actually accounts for less than 0.2% of the total textile production in the world.

But what about the fact that silk production is a very important tool for economic development, especially in the rural areas of developing countries? Labor-intensive, high income-producing silk production (sericulture) can be found today in over 40 countries. The majority of households involved in this economy come from Asia with China employing over 1 million people. India is second in production, employing over 700,000 households, but India is the largest importer and consumer of silk.

It may be the answer can only be a personal one to avoid silk and pass the information on to others who may not know how silk is produced.

We could instead choose to promote man-made fibers such as nylon, olefin, polyester and rayon instead of silk. But even that decision can constitute an ethical dilemma. These fibers are made from chemicals and petroleum derivatives and we are becoming more and more aware of the effects of these products on global climate change and environmental pollution."

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They discovered a bunch of statues in Gandhara. It was along the Silk Road:

Here is an article about the subject.