Dying Buddha (Mahaparinirvana)
Date3rd or 4th century
CultureGandharan
MediumGray schist
ClassificationSculpture
Credit LineGift of Eleanor B. Lehner, 1994
Object numberMF94.8.2
Gandharan artists looked to Western models for their portrayals of the dying Buddha, or his passing from this world to parinirvana, the state beyond nirvana. Surrounding him are grieving nobles, distraught and gesturing because they lack the detachment of the more enlightened and subdued disciples. The small figure sitting below the bed is a meditating convert to Buddhism. The Buddha's robes are unnaturally horizontal, but the reclining figure is otherwise similar to nearby sculptures of the seated Buddha.
On View
On viewLocation
DimensionsOVERALL: 9 15/16 × 15 3/8 × 2 1/16 in. (25.3 × 39 × 5.3 cm)- Center for Asian Art, 2nd floor, Galleria
2nd-4th century
3rd or 4th century
3rd or 4th century
900-1000
3rd or 4th century
3rd or 4th century
3rd or 4th century
3rd-4th century
3rd Century
2nd Century
3rd or 4th century
3rd or 4th century