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Buddha Preaching the First Sermon at Sarnath

11th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 238
A popular subject in medieval Buddhist art is the Buddha preaching his first sermon in a deer forest at Sarnath, north of Bodhgaya, where he had experienced enlightenment some weeks prior. He is seated in a full yogic position with his monastic robe drawn over both shoulders and his raised hand gesturing the turning of the wheel of Buddhist law, or dharma (dharmacakra mudra). A Sanskrit inscription in proto-Bengali script on the lotus-throne base can be read as, “To the cause of the divine religion [by] the stonecutter [sculptor] Vijaka.” This is a rare instance of a Pala-dynasty sculptor being named.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Buddha Preaching the First Sermon at Sarnath
  • Period: Pala period
  • Date: 11th century
  • Culture: India (Bihar, probably Nalanda)
  • Medium: Black stone
  • Dimensions: H. (without base) 24 1/4 in. (61.6 cm); W. 20 in. (50.8 cm); D. 8 in. (20.3 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1920
  • Object Number: 20.43
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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