Ajanta Cave 17: Buddha Teaching the Dharma
Stone
Ajanta Cave 17: Buddha Teaching the Dharma
INDIA, Maharashtra, Aurangabad
This 2.66 m high Buddha, found within the main shrine, has a large usnisa, curly hair, and a round face. The head is encircled by a nimbus and he wears a thin robe that crosses the left shoulder. He sits in full lotus posture and forms the Dharmacakra (Dharma wheel) mudra. Some damage has occurred to the hands but overall the statue is well preserved. On either side of the Buddha, a Bodhisattva holds a whisk in the right hand and a lotus flower in the left. They are adorned with necklaces and wear dhotis tied with a sash. Above the Bodhisattvas are two animated apsaras with billowing stoles. A Dharma wheel and two deer are carved on the throne, signifying the Buddha’s first discourse, or the First Turning of the Dharma Wheel, at Deer Park. Additionally, two figures stand in front of the throne with alms bowls.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves A-E, page 40.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves A-E},
pages = 40,
title = {{Ajanta Cave 17: Buddha Teaching the Dharma}},
volume = 5,
year = {2016}}