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Buddha Shakyamuni

The Great Departure

Artefact Description

This proposed relief marks the scene of the departure of Siddhartha from Kapilavastu and the renunciation of his princely life, embarking on his journey towards enlightenment. Yakshas support Kanthaka's hooves so that no noise can be heard by the guards in the early hours of the morning when he departs.

 

Dressed in his royal attire and headdress, Prince Siddhartha was holding the reins of the horse in his left hand and raising his right hand in Abhaya Mudra (No fear gesture).

 

Narrative panels such as the present work were often affixed to the cylindrical drums or rectangular plinths of stupas and could thus be read sequentially in the ritual process of circumambulation. Other reliefs were also placed in false gables on the front and the mid-section of a stupa.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum Similar Artefact

Artefact Description

Sculpted in this Gandharan relief was the life story of Buddha Shakyamuni, depicted in two scenes framed, and separated by Corinthian pilasters.

 

These two scenes are common themes revolving around the Life of the Buddha:

 

  1. The Great Departure (on the right side), where Prince Siddhartha left his kingdom and renounced the worldly life: and
  2. Subduing Mara's Attack (on the left side), where Mara the Evil One, with his demon armies attacked the ascetic Siddhartha.

The right frame (which depicts the scene of 'The Great Departure', Prince Siddhartha was riding his horse, Kanthaka, and leaving the palace with his charioteer Chandaka.

 

Dressed in his royal attire and headdress, Prince Siddhartha was holding the reins of the horse in his left hand and raising his right hand in Abhaya Mudra (No fear gesture).

 

Accompanied by his charioteer Chandaka, and with the divine assistance of a God (either Lord Indra or Lord Brahma), Prince Siddhartha successfully passed through all the heavily guarded doors and gates. This is suggested by the depiction of Prince Siddhartha, and Khandaka passing through the door frame.

 

There are two figures on the left facing Prince Siddhartha. The one at the far left, who was dressed in a very simple dhoti and holding on to a stick-like object, is Prince Siddhartha, holding his horse whip. The figure in the middle, who is more elaborately dressed in short tunic, and wearing high boots is probably Lord Indra or Lord Brahma.

Historical Background

At the age of 29 years old, Prince Siddhartha made a decision to renounce the world in order to find the truth behind all sufferings.

 

When this final decision was taken after much deliberation, the news of the birth of a son was conveyed to him, while he was about to leave the park. Contrary to expectations, he was not overjoyed, but regarded his first and only offspring as an impediment.

 

It was the full moon night of Asalha, when Prince Siddhartha left the palace and city silently, riding his horse Kanthaka, with his charioteer Chandaka. They crossed the river Anoma and reached the other bank.1 p262, 2 p30, 3 p11, 4, fig 119, 5 p26, 6 p18, 7 c1, 8 p40

Bibliography:

  1. The Lalita Vistara, English Translation by R. L. Mitra, 1998, ISBN 81-7030-576-4
  2. Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero, Life of The Buddha In Gandhara Art, 2006, ISBN 981-05-7045-7
  3. Department of Tourism, Government of India, Walking with the Buddha, 2nd edition 2004, ISBN 81-87780-24-X
  4. Sir John Marshall, The Buddhist Art of Gandara, 3rd edition 2008, ISBN 978-81-215-0967-1
  5. Indian Museum, Kolkata, The Way of The Buddha, reprint 2005
  6. Ven. Narada Maha Thero, Vision of The Buddha, The Buddha and His Teachings, 2006, ISBN-10: 8179926176
  7. Saddhaloka, Encounters With Enlightenment, Stories from the Life of the Buddha, Windhorse Publications, 2001, ISBN 978 1 899579 37 2
  8. Tokyo National Museum, NHK, The Art of Gandhara, Pakistan, Commemorative event for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan, 2002

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