The Conversion and Ordination of Nanda

Period:: Ikshvaku period

Date:: 3rd century

Culture:: India (Andhra Pradesh, Goli)

Medium:: Limestone

Dimensions:: H. 11 in. (27.9 cm); W. 89 1/2 in. (227.3 cm); D. 6 11/16 in. (17 cm)

Classification:: Sculpture

Credit Line:: Rogers Fund, 1930

Accession Number:: 30.29

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 235

This panel tells the story of the conversion of the Buddha's half-brother, Nanda. He was initially skeptical of joining the Buddhist order, wanting to instead remain with his beautiful wife. Through discussion and ultimately a miraculous flight over the Himalayas to the heaven of Indra, the Buddha was able to convince him to join the monastic order.

[ C. T. Loo & Co. , New York and Paris, by 1930; sold to MMA]

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "The Pala-Sena Period," 2007.

Timelines
South Asia, 1–500A.D.

"The Arts of South and Southeast Asia": The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, v. 51, no. 4 (Spring, 1994)

Department

Asian Art (35,507)

Object Type / Material

Geographic Location