Buddha Maitreya - the Future Buddha
See it in the Museum

Room 1: 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.
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.