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Buddhist Sculptures

Casing slab (broken) (Period IV)

Casing Slab (broken) (Period IV)

     The Buddha seated on a lion throne is shown opposite the gateway of a miniature stupa. Below him are two Naginis worshipping him. A group consisting of a standing nobleman, a seated lady and a dwarf carrying a tray is seen on either side of the gateway.

 

Maya's Dream and Interpretation (Period III)

     On the left panel, Maya is shown reclining. Below the couch four women attendents are shown half asleep. Four turbaned men of rank stand as guards at the four corners of the couch. In the right panel Maya is seen seated on a small wicker seat in front of the King while a Brahmana is seated to the left of the king. The Brahmana holds up his two fingers suggesting two possibilities regarding the future of the child to be born. The two possibilities are that either he would be a monarch, if he adopted the life of a house-holder or  he would become the Buddha, if he renounced the world.

Maya's Dream and Interpretation (Period III)

Mahabhinishkramana

 

Fragment (Period II)

      The sculpture represents the story of the departure of Sidhartha from Kapilavastu (Mahabhinishkramana).

     The arched gateway in the sculpture indicates Kapilavastu. The horse, Kanthaka comes out of the gateway. An umbrella is held over it by a man, suggesting the presence of the prince. Above them are the devas who opened the gateway. There is a rail pattern below.

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Casing Slab (Period IV)

    It is fortunately very well preserved and shows a typical stupa flanked by dharmacakra pillars and with a frieze on top. The stupa is surrounded by a railing. Three of its gateways, are shown. The plinth, pillars, cross-bars, coping-stones and guardian lions are shown clearly. A purnakalasa is shown on either side of the gateway. The drum, ayaka pillars and the casing slabs with sculptures are shown behind the rail. A harmika
surmounts the dome with umbrellas at its two corners. Devas and dwarfish yakshas adore the stupa with offerings in trays.


    The dharmachakra pillars on either side stand behind empty thrones suggestive of the Buddha. Above the wheels, dwarf and devas play on musical instruements.

    The frieze at the top shows three scenes from the life of the Buddha. The scene on the right shows an empty throne surrounded by sleeping damsels, some leaning, against the musical instruments they play upon, which suggests the departure of Siddhartha from his home at the dead of night. The central scene shows the Bodhisattva seated on a throne and surrounded by Mara's daugthers and hosts, one of whom on the left raises his hand to strike the Bodhisattva. Mara stands with a club in his hand. The scene on the left shows the Buddha suggested by the empty throne below the Bodhi tree, being adored by monks, laymen and women. Between the two middle pairs of knobs are naga couples.

     The inscriptions Means, "(Adoration) to Siddhartha! Gift of coping stone to the great stupa of the Lord by the wife of the merchant Samudra, the son of the householder Samgha, living in the chief city of Puki district and by the ... householder Kotachandi for welfare and happiness of the world."

     The musical instruments such as the harp and drum, the various attitudes of the sleeping women and the playful dwarfs below the seat of the Bodhisattva in the centre are interesting.

Casing slab (Period IV)

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