Bodhgaya: Life of the Buddha

INDIA, Bihar, Bodhgaya

The central figure of Sakyamuni is accompanied by nine images representing different events in his life. The figure makes the varada (wish-granting) mudra with the right hand, which has a Dharma wheel at the center of the palm. Two smaller Buddhas at the bottom stand in the tribhanga posture, one making the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra, and the other forming the varada (wish-granting) mudra. The other seven images, starting from the lower left and moving clockwise, depict the Buddha Calming the Drunken Elephant, Monkey Offering Honey, First Turning of the Dharma Wheel, Buddha’s Parinirvana, Miracle at Sravasti, Defeat of Mara, and Calming the Drunken Elephant again. The central figure is thought to be a depiction of the Buddha’s Return from Trayastrimsa Heaven with an inscription visible by the right shoulder. A small figure prostrating in the bottom left hand corner is believed to be the donor.