CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Subject: Buddha seated in dharmacakramudra, turning the Wheel of Dharma gesture, detail. The upper portion of the back-slab is fashioned into a circular halo that is adorned with concentric bands, the outer one is a richly carved lotus creeper. Flying celestial figures are depicted on either side of the halo, and a pair of leogryphs flank the throne’s backrest.

Subject: Buddha seated in dharmacakramudra, turning the Wheel of Dharma gesture, detail. The upper portion of the back-slab is fashioned into a circular halo.

Subject: Buddha seated in dharmachakramudra, turning the Wheel of Dharma gesture, detail of the pedestal. On the pedestal is a centrally placed wheel, a symbol of the Buddha’s sermon at Sarnath. Of the kneeling figures on either side of the wheel, the five figures in monks’ garb represent the Buddha’s first five disciples; while the other two, a woman and child, are probably depictions of the donors.

Subject: Buddha, standing under umbrella, detail upper portion

Subject: Buddha, standing under umbrella, detail upper portion

Subject: Buddha, standing under umbrella, detail upper portion

Subject: Buddha in gesture of fearlessness (abhayamudra) in a standing position

Subject: Buddha in gesture of fearlessness (abhayamudra) in a standing position

Subject: Buddha in touching the earth gesture or bhumisparsha mudra. This image was found by archaeologist F.O. Oertel southeast of the Main Shrine.

Subject: Buddha in earth touching gesture or bhumisparsha mudra, detail of the upper portion. Around the head, carved in relief on the black slab is a circular halo which is decorated with two circular bands of rosettes and beads respectively. Over this halo, the foliage of the bodhi tree was shown which is now only visible on the top of the stone. The flying figures on both sides of the halo are celestials who shower down flowers on the Buddha after he conquers demon Mara.

Subject: Buddha in bhumisparsha mudra, detail of the base. In the sunken portion, in a circular niche is a lion in a cave resting its head on its paws. The earth goddess appears beneath the right hand of the Buddha and in front of her is a male figure kneeling in reverence, perhaps the donor of the image. On the other side of the niche corresponding to the earth goddess is daughter of demon Mara running away.

Subject: Buddha in bhumisparsha mudra. This image was found by archaeologist F.O. Oertel southeast of the Main Shrine.

Subject: Slab sculptured with eight principal scenes from Buddha's life, from left to right and top to bottom: (a) Nativity (b) Enlightenment (c) Offering of honey by the Monkey at Vaishali (d) Submission of the Elephant Nalagiri at Rajgir (e) Descent from Trayastrimsa Heaven accompanied by Brahma and Indra at Sankasya (f) Great Miracle at Shravasti (g) First Sermon (h) Parinirvana. The relief was found in three pieces: one found by Markham Kittoe in an unspecified location, two found on the eastern approach to the Main Shrine.

Subject: Slab sculptured with eight principal scenes from Buddha's life, from left to right and top to bottom: (a) Nativity (b) Enlightenment (c) Offering of honey by the Monkey at Vaishali (d) Submission of the Elephant Nalagiri at Rajgir (e) Descent from Trayastrimsa Heaven accompanied by Brahma and Indra at Sankasya (f) Great Miracle at Shravasti (g) First Sermon (h) Parinirvana. The relief was found in three pieces: one found by Markham Kittoe in an unspecified location, two found on the eastern approach to the Main Shrine.

Subject: Slab sculptured with eight principal scenes from Buddha's life, detail showing scenes (top panel) - First Sermon (left) and Parinirvana (right).

Subject: Slab sculptured with eight principal scenes from Buddha's life (second panel), detail showing Descent of buddha from Trayastrimsa Heaven accompanied by Brahma and Indra at Sankasya (left) and Great Miracle at Shravasti (right).

Subject: Slab sculptured with eight principal scenes from Buddha's life (bottom panel), detail showing Nativity (left) and Enlightenment (right)

Subject: Slab sculptured with eight principal scenes from Buddha's life, detail showing Offering of honey by the Monkey at Vaishali

Subject: Slab sculptured with eight principal scenes from Buddha's life, detail showing Great Miracle at Shravasti

Subject: Archaeological remains of the topmost wheel of the Lion Capital of Ashoka

Subject: Archaeological remains of the topmost wheel of the Lion Capital of Ashoka

Subject: Buddha seated in dharmachakramudra or the turning of the Wheel of Law posture.

Subject: Buddha seated, detail showing the dharmachakramudra or the turning of the Wheel of Law posture.

Subject: Buddha in dharmachakra parvatana. The Buddha's first sermon is called Dharma Chakra Pravartana or the Turning of the Wheel of Law.