Sanchi Stupa 1: Life of the Buddha - Monkey Offering Honey

INDIA, Madhya Pradesh, Sanchi

The relief is located on the inner surface of the west column of the northern gateway. It illustrates the “Chapter on Abbhutadhamma” from the Madhyama Agama.
During the rainy season retreat, the Buddha left the quarreling monks of Kausambi for the forest of Parileyyaka. A monkey came to the Buddha with an offering of honey. The throne, overshadowed by the Bodhi tree, is said to symbolize the Buddha according to the aniconic theory. The monkey appears twice; the one nearest to the throne holds a bowl in its hands, and then dances behind for joy because the Buddha has accepted its gift.
A blossoming fruit tree stands at the upper right hand corner. Four aristocratic figures are beneath it, two males on the right and two females on the left. Two women and a boy are paying their respects before the throne. The sides of the panel have floral motifs that are echoed in the trees that take up a third of the space. The tree is divided from the panel below by a balcony.