

The Buddha's First Sermon at Sarnath, ca. 2nd century
Pakistan, ancient region of Gandhara
Schist
Pakistan, ancient region of Gandhara
Schist
H. 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm), W. 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm)
Gift of Daniel Slott, 1980 (1980.527.4)
The Buddha is shown teaching the first sermon to five ascetics who become monks; in this way, he establishes the monastic order. The Buddha reaches down to set in motion the wheel of the law—a well-established symbol of Buddhist teaching, or dharma. To the Buddha's upper right stands the protective deity Vajrapani holding a vajra (thunderbolt).







