The Beginnings of Buddhist Art and Other Essays in Indian and Central-Asian Archaeology c7.s1.t2.25

c7.s1.t2.25

scene which takes place on its outskirts. The first thing is to know the name of the town : but this time it is to the neighbouring scenes that we must address our questions. We have already seen above (p. 77) that they reply unanimously : it is the capital of Magadha. The texts for their part agree in telling us that immediately after the conversion of the Kâçyapas and their thousand disciples the Blessed One, at the head of his new community of saints, repaired to Râjagriha, and at the gates of the town received the solemn visit of King Bimbisâra (¹). In accordance with the usual custom the king advanced in his good chariot as far as the road would allow a carriage to pass; then he descended and went on foot towards Buddha. This is what he is doing at the top on the left, followed by one sole companion, whose duty is to represent in his own person the king's innumerable cortège. Before the empty throne of the Blessed One conventional indications of water and rocks succeed, in default of a wood of bamboos, in particularizing the location of the scene on the hill Antagiri near the famous hot springs of Râjgir (²). As for the rest of the story, it must naturally be supplemented by the help of the texts : the king and the people of Magadha wonder at first concerning Buddha and old Kâçyapa, which is the master and which the disciple; the public homage of the old anchorite will soon decide the question. If we see nothing of all this, it is because the Sânchî bas-reliefs systematically omit all representation