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Peshawar: Life of the Buddha - First Turning of the Dharma Wheel
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Peshawar: Life of the Buddha - First Turning of the Dharma Wheel
PAKISTAN, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar; circa 2nd–3rd century; Schist; 27 x 32 cm; British Museum, London, United Kingdom
The sculpture depicts the First Turning of the Dharma Wheel that took place in the Deer Park at Sarnath. The scene is symbolized by a mounted wheel flanked by the deer at the base of the sculpture. The Buddha is shown seated in full lotus position on a dais adorned with symbols. Deities listening to his teaching support a canopy of leaves above him. The Buddha is dressed in monastic robes and his hand is in bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra. Five shaven-headed monks (the two on the far left are defaced) are seated about him, looking upward. The smiling monk with raised hands is probably Kaundinya, the first to become an Arhat. The area above the figures is decorated with a foliated design. |
