Maitreya – The Future Buddha
  See it in the Museum
India and Nepal
Orientation 3
Display 2

ABS 088

 Code: ABS 088

  Country: India (north-west)

  Style: Kashmir Region

  Date: 900 - 1000

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 8.1 x 15.9 x 6.5

  Materials: Brass

Buddha Maitreya - the “Future Buddha” in the act of teaching 

In modern literature it has become the custom to identify Buddha images seated with both legs pendant (bhadrasana) and displaying the “gesture of the wheel of the doctrine” (dharmacakra-mudra) as Buddha Maitreya. However, as indicated by other sculptures such images may as well commemorate the First sermon of Shakyamuni at Sarnath.