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Swat: Prophecy of Dipamkara Buddha
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Swat: Prophecy of Dipamkara Buddha
PAKISTAN, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Swat; circa 2nd century; Schist; H: 22.2 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
This story shows Sakyamuni Buddha in one of his past lives as a youth called Megha, and the events that led to his vow of attaining Buddhahood.
The story begins on the left of the relief with Megha buying flowers from the girl behind him. He approaches Dipamkara Buddha, identified by his nimbus, holding a vase and an offering of flowers. He scatters the flowers over the Buddha, some of which float about his nimbus. Megha then unties his hair and kneels to cover the muddy ground for the Buddha to walk on, at the same time making the vow to attain enlightenment. This event is portrayed as happening simultaneously with the offering. The story concludes with Megha rising into the air with hands raised in reverence on hearing Dipamkara 's prophecy that his vow will be fulfilled. A monk disciple and an attendant appear behind Dipamkara in this composition. |
