Statue of Buddha from the Ancient Region of Gandhara

This object chosen from the ancient region of Gandhara is an image of a statue that is a representation of the Standing Buddha. This statue is said to be dated from around the 3rd-4th century and was held in the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

This statue of the standing Buddha is a representation of Greco-Buddhist art because of the drapery style as well as the calm facial expression depicted on the statue. This statue is also carved in grey schist, which was a common material found along the Silk Road during the 1st-3rd centuries in the ancient region of Gandhara. The material used within this statue can indicate that this artwork was created during the 3rd century. An interesting fact regarding the material utilized in this statue is that a grey schist can be a fine-grain material which can be helpful when wanting to carve an image or sculpture out of the material.

The Standing Buddha

One of the reasons that this particular depiction of Buddha is interesting is because of its hand placement. Unfortunately, the hands within this sculpture have been lost over time but over time and considerate study, the Met Museum’s site stated that if the right had been still intact it would be held in “abhayu murda” which would gesture approachability.

The placement of the right hand, considering it’s what we know most about, is an impactful and informative description of how Buddha was viewed during the time period in which it is dated.

The site does not include the hypothesized placement of the left hand; we are left wondering. The ancient region of Gandhara is a prominent place in regard to the influence of Buddha and Buddhism.

The ancient region of Gandhara is a prominent place in regard to the influence of Buddha and Buddhism. Another prominent feature of this statue is the extended earlobes which is a distinct feature of the representation of Buddha across most regions along the Silk Road.¹

Current Region of Pakistan

As well as the “seated figure of Maitreya, the Buddha of the future.”

This scultpure is an important commoditiy from the Silk Road as it representes the importance of sharing ideas and religious beliefs across different regions.

In consideration of the seated figure of the Maitreya at the bottom of the statue, that is another key factor within the representation of Buddha as it is a depiction of the future Buddha, and it holds significant importance within Buddhism.

The Met Museum States

“Such Buddha images were found in great numbers in the public sacred preincts of Gandhara.”

On the base of the statue is a seated figure of Maitreya, the Buddha of the future, who is being venerated by a man and woman who are likely donars of this image.

It’s an interesting part of the representation of Buddha as it touches on the idea of thoughtfulness as well as a consideration of the future.

The fact that this statue is considered a Greco-Buddhist art style insinuates a connection with different regions along the Silk Road that date back to the first century, that is an important idea considering that the Silk Road was crucial in regard to spreading ideas, commodities, and religious ideas.

It’s an interesting part of the representation of Buddha as it touches on the idea of thoughtfulness as well as a consideration of the future.

Bibliography

• Behrendt, Kurt. The Art of Gandhara in The Metropolitan Museum of Art.New York: The Metropolitan Musuem of Art, 2007 pp. 51, 59, cat. no. 40, fig. 23