Replica of Gandhara Fasting Buddha (Black Stone)

Replica of Gandhara Fasting Buddha (Black Stone)

Buddhas

Gautama Buddha, also known as Shakyamuni Buddha or Siddhartha Gautama is the title of the Buddha whose teaching founded Buddhism sometime between the 6th and 4th century BCE. Buddha was known for his ascetic lifestyle. This depiction comes from Pakistan around the ancient region of Gandhara where is displays Buddha fasting for forty-nine days before reaching enlightenment. Thus, it shows the Buddha in an emaciated state and yogic ascetic who has total control over his body. 

Check out the High Library for more information. 

Check out sacred texts that relate to the artifact. 

• Buddha
• Last Discourses and Death of Buddha
• The Buddha's Way of Virtue: Notes 

Sources: 
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, I.e. The Met Museum, accessed July 03, 2018, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/38119.

20th Century

Elizabethtown College (Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, USA)

Dr. William V. Puffenberger

Elizabethtown College retains all intellectual property rights to this image including, but not limited to, digital rights and any derivative works. For permission for reproduction, please contact the College’s Administrative Assistant for Humanities.

A black stone statue of a fasting Buddha (Gandhara) with detailed gravings of his ribs placed on top of a piece of wood.

6.75 in X 4.25 in (17.1 cm X 10.8 cm)

Physical Object

Puffenberger #129

India