Prophecy of Dipamkara Buddha

PAKISTAN

The panel is shaped like a stupa. A square base progresses upward onto a rounded overhang section from the center of which rises a tower topped by a dome. Carved birds perch on the outer edges of the curved overhangs, while a meditating Buddha sits on a half lotus at the top.
The bottom register tells of how in remote ages, Dipamkara Buddha made a prophecy that the young man named Megha would become a Buddha himself. He had just spread his hair on the ground to protect the Buddha from stepping in the mud. Dipamkara is the tallest figure in this grouping. The flower girl from whom Megha has purchased an offering is on the far left, holding a jug and bouquet, while he stands next to her with the flower offering in one hand. Above Dipamkara, Megha rises into the air with his palms joined as townsfolk look on from balconies. This is separated from the scenes above by a flowered cornice.
Two scenes of meditating Buddhas flanked by devotees are divided by lattice work in the upper registers. An inscription is engraved along the bottom of the relief.