Seated Buddha Torso

late 3rd century

The pair of deer on the base of this sculpture indicates that it represents the Buddha’s first sermon, at the park at Sarnath, which was known for its deer. His raised hand, now missing, was likely making a gesture of teaching; his lower hand remains in the posture of meditation. The green stone is typical of sculptures made for early Buddhist centers in southern India. This image shows the Buddha’s back and sides, which was unusual in this period, but the sculpture was clearly made from a shallow block that was more appropriate to a one-sided, relief carving.