Birth of the Buddha
Queen Maya reaches up to grasp a branch and miraculously gives birth to the Buddha. Emphasis is given to the representation of Maya, who affirms her status as both a yakshi (female nature deity) and the mother of the historical Buddha. The newborn Buddha is shown a second time, standing on flower petals receiving his first bath. Such an iconic representation of Maya reflects the status that Taras (female bodhisattvas) had assumed in the esoteric Buddhist communities of eastern India.
Artwork Details
- Title: Birth of the Buddha
- Period: Pala period
- Date: 11th century
- Culture: India (Madhya Pradesh or Bihar)
- Medium: Black stone
- Dimensions: H. 24 1/4 in. (61.6 cm); W. 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm); D. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm)
- Classification: Sculpture
- Credit Line: Purchase, Gift of Dr. Mortimer D. Sackler, Theresa Sackler and Family, and Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 2007
- Object Number: 2007.305
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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11th–12th century
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11th–12th century
India (Bihar, probably Nalanda)
11th century
India (Bihar)
12th century
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12th century
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