Artwork Page for Scenes from the Life of Buddha

Details / Information for Scenes from the Life of Buddha

Scenes from the Life of Buddha

100s CE
Medium
schist
Measurements
Overall: 68 x 41.3 cm (26 3/4 x 16 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Description

In this compact narrative relief, which was made to adorn a Buddhist stupa, scenes from the early life of the Buddha are depicted in order from top to bottom. His birth is at the top. The infant, now broken, is being received by Indra, King of the Gods, from the right side of his mother, who is depicted like a tree deity, grasping a branch with one hand. The baby Buddha miraculously took seven steps immediately after he was born, as indicated by the standing diminutive figure at the left of the scene. The next scene depicts the bodhisattva Maitreya, who will be the next Buddha to be born in the future, as an element of foreshadowing. Returning to the life of the historical Buddha, the sculptors then depict him as a prince, enjoying palace life with his wife. Eventually, he is compelled to leave his family to seek enlightenment and try to end the suffering in the world. In the lowest panel he rides off to the forest with a carved halo behind his head. In the border areas are meditating Buddha images, worshippers, guardians, and earth deities who drag a massive flower garland adorning the panel.
A dark gray schist sculpture, a tall tablet with rounded side protrusions, features five tiers of relief-carved scenes. Vertical columns of tiny seated figures flank horizontal bands depicting life events. At the top, figures gather beneath an arched frame, while the bottom tier centers a headless seated figure among a crowd of individuals. The stone is chipped and worn, with a decorative row of figures lining the base.

Scenes from the Life of Buddha

100s CE

Pakistan, Gandhara, Kushan period

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork