GANDHARA, 2ND/3RD CENTURY

On his path to enlightenment Siddhartha sought the instruction of Brahmans. This scene illustrates the first meeting, but their teachings did not satisfy him. Further at right appears Vajrapani shouldering his stylized vajra (thunderbolt) beside Buddha in meditation; compare with H. Ingholt, Gandharan Art in Pakistan, 1957, cat. no. 54, p. 63.
For a related scene carved with matching lotus frieze and likely originally belonging together, see I. Kurita, Gandharan Art, vol. I, 2003, fig. P3-IV, p. 139.