Northeastern India, Bihar, Tetravan, Pala Period (750-1197) / 800s
Buddha Calling on Earth to Witness
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Buddha Calling on Earth to Witness as sculpture (Northeastern India, Bihar, Tetravan, Pala Period (750-1197) · 800s).
The donors kneel at the lower corners.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as chloritic schist.
The museum's collection notes: This sculpture is one of a series that depict the Buddha at different scenes in his life. Here, he is at Bodhgaya, the place where he achieved enlightenment. At the top of the composition are the branches of the ficus tree with its heart-shaped leaves, under which he achieved enlightenment. His hand gesture indicates that he is calling upon the goddess of the earth to witness the moment. During the Pala period of the eighth through 12th centuries in medieval India, Buddhism dominated and flourished in major monastic universities. After the fall of the Pala dynasty, the numerous battles between small kingdoms vying for power caused the destruc
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtBuddha Calling on Earth to WitnessOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.