Religious art visually represents spiritual ideologies, with sacred art specifically intended for worship, though the use of imagery has frequently sparked controversy, leading to aniconism (opposition) and iconoclasm (destruction). Buddhist art originated in India with Siddhartha Gautama around the 6th-5th century BC, spreading and evolving across Asia, influencing Hindu art before its decline in India by the 10th century. Distinct forms like Tibetan Buddhist art emphasize Vajrayana practices, featuring intricate thangkas and mandalas often created as meditative aids, while Indian Buddhist cave paintings at Ajanta (circa 5th century AD) offer vivid depictions from serene Buddhas to lively narratives. Christian art strives to illustrate its principles, commonly portraying Jesus, scenes from the Life of Christ (especially the Crucifixion), and Old Testament narratives. However, the inclusion of figures like the Virgin Mary and saints varies significantly, being more prevalent in Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy than in Protestant traditions.