Plaque Depicting Episodes from the Life of Shakyamuni Buddha

12th century

This plaque depicts some of the most important moments in the life of the historical Buddha. At the center, he touches the Earth, a gesture he made just before gaining enlightenment. At the top, he reclines at the moment of his death or entrance into Nirvana. Among the tiny figures on either side is the Buddha’s mother at the moment of his birth, at the lower right; next to her is the Buddha seated under the hoods of the serpent Muchalinda.