Standing crowned Buddha with four scenes of his life

Eastern Indian Buddhist sculptures often show a main Buddha image surrounded by four or seven smaller Buddha images representing standard scenes from the Buddha’s life. The diagram here identifies the four scenes surrounding this image.

Sculptures such as this were placed in niches in the exterior and interior walls of Buddhist temples. (Sculptures in the niches of a temple are shown in the photo blowup behind you.) They were often donated to the temple by devotees. Here, the two small female figures on the base may represent the donors. These figures remind us of the importance of pious women in Buddhism, as does the small figure of a nun worshipping the Buddha.

Why is the Buddha Wearing a Crown?
The young prince who was to become the Buddha rejected the luxuries of royal life and embraced simplicity. Why then is he shown here wearing a crown and jewelry over his monk’s robes? According to the scholars Susan and John Huntington, “the crown and jewelry emphasize the aspect of the Buddha as a universal sovereign, drawing a visual analogy between the attainment of buddhahood and coronation as a king. The royal adornments evoke the Buddha’s majesty, kingly qualities, and omniscience.”