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Life of the Buddha - Education of Prince Siddhartha
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Life of the Buddha - Education of Prince Siddhartha
PAKISTAN; circa 2nd–3rd century; Gray schist; 32.5 x 35 cm; Victoria and Albert Museum, London, United Kingdom
The “Chapter on the Education of Prince Siddhartha” in the Abhiniskramana Sutra states that from the age of eight to twelve the prince studied literature with the brahmin Visvamitra and martial arts with Ksantideva, along with five hundred companions, which is the scene pictured here.
The young prince is distinguished by a nimbus and rides on a cart pulled by two rams yoked together. The driver walks beside the cart holding the reins while companions, wearing tunics and holding books, an ink container, and a writing board, walk alongside. A shaven-headed monastic stands beneath a tree to the far right, paying his respects to the prince as he passes. |
