Prophecy of Dipamkara Buddha

PAKISTAN

Originally in the shape of a stupa, the upper tier of the relief no longer exists. A cornice of acanthus leaves divides the two remaining tiers.
Dipamkara Buddha occupies the center of the lower tier as he walks through the city. Three of the figures on the left portray Megha, who is about to be prophesized that he would become the future Sakyamuni Buddha. The tallest figure is the young man offering flowers which he has bought from the woman holding a vase to the far left. The second version of Megha is kneeling before Dipamkara and offering his hair as a covering on the muddy ground. The Buddha then prophesies that his vow will be fulfilled. The third Megha version floats into the air emitting rays of light. All the events of this complex story are incorporated into this one simple scene.
The second tier depicts two Buddhas seated side by side within a square niche. In the Lotus Sutra Prabhutaratna Buddha manifests from the past, expounding the sutra and inviting Sakyamuni to share the same bench. This may be an early depiction of that sutra episode, where another Buddha in the past foresees Sakyamuni’s future attainment.