Greystones Fine Interiors

Description

Gandharan 'Miracle of Sravasti' Stele 3rd century AD A carved schist stele depicting Buddha seated on a lotus-leaf dais, nimbus to the rear and six small nimbate figures flanking him mounted on a custom-made stand. 24.8 kg total, 61cm including stand (24"). Fine condition. Provenance From an old Tokyo collection previously the property of a Japanese gentleman since the late 2000s.

The statue records an incident from the life of Buddha which marked a turning point in the dissemination of Buddhist teaching. Challenged to a contest of miracle performance by the six leaders of other philosophical schools, Buddha moved from city to city always accepting the trial but delaying the time of the contest. Finally, at Shravasti, Buddha agreed to demonstrate his power and performed a series of miraculous feats (creating a marvellous tree, mountains and lakes made from jewels, radiating light from his skin and teaching the doctrine of dharma to enlighten all who heard it) and used the vajra lightning weapon to destroy the seats of his detractors. The followers of the other leaders then all recognised the purity of Buddha's power and accepted his teachings.