By Madison Lyon
The earliest sculptural art related to Buddhism typically depicted events of the Buddha’s life. This stone relief, “Medicine Buddha,” is a naturalistic sculpture of the Buddha in a seated Dihyana position on a pedestal, holding a bowl in his lap, perhaps symbolizing the mixing of medicine.
The Buddha is depicted wearing a sanghati, a robe traditionally worn by Buddhist monks, and sitting beneath a canopy of flowers with three attendants to his right. Two of the attendants represent Western ideas in depicting a naturalistic approach to the human form, nodding to Greek or Roman classical traditions.
The third figure kneeling to the right of the Buddha represents an ascetic, someone who dedicates their life to spirituality and denies themselves of worldly pleasures.
Sculptural art made in Gandhara from this time period served as an expression of religious faith in Buddhism. During the era in which this sculpture was made, the Gandhara region served as an active trade route, attracting a variety of visitors with diverse backgrounds. Thus, the majority of Gandharan art is influenced by a convergence of cultural styles reflected in sculpture such as this.
This and other artworks from the museum collection are currently on display in the Myers Building, room 232. If you are interested in participating in selecting the next round of objects for these cases, please contact Kara Jefts at kara.jefts@plattsburgh.edu to express your interest.
This display will change with each academic year, with new selections curated over the summer. All members of the campus community are welcome to participate.
