Seated crowned Buddha with four scenes of his life

The central image here represents the Buddha defeating the demon Mara by touching the earth, calling upon her to affirm his fitness for buddhahood. The earth goddess is shown in miniature at the middle of the base beneath the lotus throne. Other scenes from the life of the Buddha surround the central one. Originally there would have been eight, but here the top three are missing. How they were broken off is not known to us. Those remaining show:

• (lower left) the mother of the Buddha-to-be giving birth

• (upper left) the Buddha’s descent from Indra’s heaven after the Buddha had preached to his deceased mother

• (upper right) the Buddha taming an enraged elephant

• (lower right) the Buddha accepting an offering from a monkey.

To learn why the Buddha is wearing a crown, see the label to your left.