GANDHARA, 2ND/3RD CENTURY

Details

A Gray Schist Tympanum
Gandhara, 2nd/3rd Century
Carved with Sumati prostrating before the Dipankara Buddha, his long hair forming a mat to protect the Buddha from the mud, all above a frieze of figures on a balcony overlooking worshippers gathered around a sun disk over an altar
20 in. (50.8 cm.) high

Lot Essay

According to the legend, when the Dipankara Buddha announced his visit to a certain town, the king reserved all available flowers to pay him proper homage. The young ascetic Sumati was unable to buy any until he met a young girl by chance who had obtained some lotuses. He acquired five from her, on condition that in all future incarnations she should be his wife. When he tossed the lotuses at Dipankara they remained suspended in mid air around the head of the Buddha and Sumati prostrated himself before him.

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