Birth of the Buddha

India (Madhya Pradesh or Bihar)

Not on view

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.

Birth of the Buddha, Black stone, India (Madhya Pradesh or Bihar)

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Birth of the Buddha, Black stone, India (Madhya Pradesh or Bihar)
Birth of the Buddha, Black stone, India (Madhya Pradesh or Bihar)

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