Handouts
Early Buddhist Art I: Bharhut and Sanchi

Bharhut Stupa Railing, Shunga Dynasty, 185-72 BCE

- inscription says "Made in the reign of the Shungas"

  • Chandra Yakshi
  • Kubera Yaksha
  • "Foreign" Unidentified Male Figure

Stories from the Life of the Historical Buddha

  • Conception of the Buddha
  • The Buddha Reaching Enlightenment
  • Gift of the Jetavana Garden

Jataka Stories, or Stories of the Buddha's Past Lives

  • Golden Deer (Ruru) Jataka
  • Great Monkey (Mahakapi) Jataka
  • Vidhura Pandita Jataka

Great Stupa at Sanchi, Satavahana (Andhra) Dynasty, 72 BCE - 2nd Century

- inscription says made in the reign of Satakarni, a Satavahana king, but there were three successive Satavahana kings named Satakarni

  • Bracket Yakshi
  • Lion Impost Figure
  • Door Guardians

Stories from the Life of the Historical Buddha

  • The Buddha Overcoming Mara
  • The Buddha Walks on Water
  • Return of the Buddha to Kapilavastu

Jataka Stories, or Stories of the Buddha's Past Lives

  • Great Monkey (Mahakapi) Jataka

Words/Issues: jataka, stupa, yaksha/yakshi, anjali mudra, Maya, bodhi tree, naga, Vidhura Pandita, Satakarni, Mara
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Last updated March 1, 2002.