Artist: unknown
Title: bodhisattva Maitreya, standing, displaying abhayamudra
Material: Sikrari sandstone
Site: Ahichattra, India
Current Location: National Museum, New Delhi, India
Period/Date: Kushana period (ca. 150 C.E.)
Iconography/Iconology: The bodhisattva Maitreya is the promise of future enlightenment for all beings. He resides in Tushita paradise, where he welcomes the faithful to reside there with him, until such time as he descends at Ketumati (in 22,500 years from now). At that time, he will preside over an earthly, Buddhist paradise as a fully enlightened Buddha. His princely attributes define him as a bodhisattva, awaiting Buddhahood, and the jar he holds is the empty vase which the practitioner must become in order to receive the teachings.
Stylistic Comments: See previous two pages.
