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Buddha and Vajrapani
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Buddha and Vajrapani
PAKISTAN; circa 1st century; Schist; H: 39 cm; Museum of Asian Art, Berlin, Germany
Vajrapani, the protector of the Buddha, is often depicted with the Buddha in Gandharan sculpture. This relief dates to the early Gandhara period.
The Buddha has a prominent usnisa, a bulbous nose, and a mustache. He leans to one side with the right hand raised and grasps the robe with the left hand. Vajrapani stands directly behind the Buddha. He has long wavy hair, a beard, a mustache, and a muscular physique. The tunic Vajrapani wears leaves the right shoulder bare. He holds a vajra in one hand and a whisk over his head, as if protecting the Buddha from evil spirits. It is believed that this piece was part of a larger relief portraying Devadatta's attempt to harm the Buddha. |
