Life of the Buddha - Return from Trayastrimsa Heaven
Schist
Life of the Buddha - Return from Trayastrimsa Heaven
INDIA; Pala period
This carving is believed to have be found in Bihar. The Buddha is depicted returning from Trayastrimsa Heaven, where he has been instructing his deceased mother. He wears a diaphanous robe indicated only by its fall from the wrists and its lower hem. The right hand is in varada (wish-granting) mudra, while the left hand holds the fold of the robe near the shoulder.
Standing to the left is Brahma, carrying a whisk, while Sakra is on the right, holding the handle of a parasol. The edge of the arched mandorla is decorated with flames, while small stupas are superimposed at the curve of the inner rim. About the sides is a series of inscriptions most likely recording the Buddhist refuge vow. The carving was probably from Bihar.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture G-M, page 601.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Lovelock, Yann and Chou, Yuan and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture G-M},
pages = 601,
title = {{Life of the Buddha - Return from Trayastrimsa Heaven}},
volume = 11,
year = {2016}}