The Eight major events in the life of Buddha Shakyamuni
See it in the Museum
India and Nepal
Orientation 3
Display 3
ABS 101
Code: ABS 101
Country: Burma (Myanmar)
Style: Pagan Period
Date: 1150 - 1250
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 5.4 x 8.3 x 2.4
Materials: Yellowish-beige stone known as “andagu”
Stele representing the “Eight major events in the life of Buddha Shakyamuni”
Carved in fine-grained yellowish-beige stone known in Myanmar as “andagu,” this little stele represents the historical Buddha Shakyamuni surrounded by the major episodes of his life. Sitting under a tree, legs crossed in meditation on a lotus throne, the Buddha touches the ground before him with his right hand while his left rests in his lap in contemplation.
Displayed around him in asymmetrical order are seven small scenes corresponding, along with the central representation, to the Eight major events. They are: 1. his birth; 2. the victory over Mara; 3. his first teaching; 4. the display of miracles; 5. the descent from heaven; 6. the taming of the wild elephant; 7. the gift of honey by a monkey; 8. his final extinction.
Stylistically, the Buddha’s head is rather massive, his forehead broad, his neck short and his build stocky. His monastic robes leave the right shoulder uncovered and are designed without folds except at the ends. These features are typical of the Pala style, which has been adopted in Myanmar and mainly reproduced in stone sculptures.
Carved in fine-grained yellowish-beige stone known in Myanmar as “andagu,” this little stele represents the historical Buddha Shakyamuni surrounded by the major episodes of his life. Sitting under a tree, legs crossed in meditation on a lotus throne, the Buddha touches the ground before him with his right hand while his left rests in his lap in contemplation.
Displayed around him in asymmetrical order are seven small scenes corresponding, along with the central representation, to the Eight major events. They are: 1. his birth; 2. the victory over Mara; 3. his first teaching; 4. the display of miracles; 5. the descent from heaven; 6. the taming of the wild elephant; 7. the gift of honey by a monkey; 8. his final extinction.
Stylistically, the Buddha’s head is rather massive, his forehead broad, his neck short and his build stocky. His monastic robes leave the right shoulder uncovered and are designed without folds except at the ends. These features are typical of the Pala style, which has been adopted in Myanmar and mainly reproduced in stone sculptures.