Paitava: Life of the Buddha - Miracle at Sravasti

AFGHANISTAN, Parwan, Bagram

The Buddha’s Twin Miracle at Sravasti was to rise into the air while causing flames to leap from his shoulders and water to pour from beneath him. Only the flames are apparent in this statue, which was found in the ancient Kapisa region. The robed figure is seated in full lotus position with hands in the dhyana (meditation) mudra. The nimbus is rimmed with a stylized sun pattern, while the enclosing mandorla is ringed with flames. Brahma and Sakra, both air-borne and holding parasols, are on either side of the nimbus.
The lotus throne of the figure is supported by a square base with sides decorated in reliefs of Corinthian columns. The Maitreya figure, which holds a vase in the left hand and makes a mudra with the right hand, is displayed in the center of the base between columns. Attendants standing outside the columns on either side of Maitreya hold a whisk and a lotus.
This particular sculpture shares stylistic elements with two different sculptures. One is statuary with the same theme found at Parwan, while the other is seen in a sculpture depicting the Prophecy of Dipamkara Buddha found at Shotorak Monastery. The pattern of the nimbus, the parasol-holding Brahma and Sakra, and the flame-shouldered Buddha are related to Parwan images, while the flames that frame the circular mandorla and the introduction of Maitreya flanked by attendants are found at Shotorak.