Buddhas of the Past and Maitreya Bodhisattva

PAKISTAN

Although the predominant subject matter in Gandharan sculpture was usually Saykamuni Buddha, his predecessors and successor were sometimes also featured, as is the case in this panel. It is generally known, despite the damage, that the seven figures are, from right to left: Vipasyin, Sikhin, Visvabhu, Krakucchanda, Kanakamuni and Kasyapa as the Buddhas of the immediate past, followed by Sakyamuni, the Buddha of this era, and Maitreya, the Buddha of the future. All Buddha figures have their right hand raised in abhaya (fearlessness) mudra. The style of their monastic robes are worn in alternating fashion, either with the right shoulder bared or having both shoulders covered. Maitreya, who has not yet attained enlightenment, is dressed as royalty and featured on the far left. He holds a vase in the left hand. A large canopy is believed to have covered all the figures but only a remnant remains. An inscription at the bottom of the sculpture is in Kharosthi script and reads, “making an offering to all the Buddhas.”