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Life of the Buddha - Return from Trayastrimsa Heaven
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Life of the Buddha - Return from Trayastrimsa Heaven
PAKISTAN; circa 2nd–3rd century; Schist; 49.5 x 57 cm; Victoria and Albert Museum, London, United Kingdom
The Buddha descends to the human realm after his visit to Trayastrimsa Heaven. The account of this episode is recorded in the Great Tang Records on the Western Regions that “Sakra used his supernatural powers to construct three sets of stairs from gold, silver, and crystal. The Tathagata travels down the central stairs. Brahma, carrying a whisk, walks down the silver steps on the right, while Sakra, carrying a parasol, walks down the crystal steps on the left as heavenly beings scatter flowers in praise of his merit.”
The three figures of Buddha, Brahma, and Sakra are depicted three times, to signify their descent. Both the Buddha and his heavenly attendants are barefooted. The space on either side of the stairs are filled with lines of deities paying reverence, many with nimbuses and wearing turbans and stoles. A horse-drawn chariot can be seen on the bottom left. The two figures riding in it are King Prasenajit of Sravasti and his wife. A servant carries an offering of food for the Buddha on top of the head. Various princes and ministers behind the king are on horseback, while a row of elderly lay disciples and other devotees stand to receive the Buddha. |
