Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c7.174

c7.174

The date of this sculpture is uncertain, though, from the style of the execution, it must be attributed to the later period of Buddhist art in Java. The doctrine of the Adi-Buddha as the Creator is said by Professor Grünwedel to have been first promulgated about the twelfth or thirteenth century, but the conception of Prajnâparamitâ as the Logos, or Divine Wisdom, is much older. Nâgârjuna, who preached the Mahâyâna doctrine of Buddhism about the second century A.D., produced a treatise, called "Prajnâparamitâ," which he declared was first dictated by Buddha himself and committed to the care of the Nâga demi-gods until men attained sufficient wisdom to comprehend his teaching. The goddess here may be regarded as an incarnation of the Divine Word. A book is placed on the lotus-flower, the stalk of which is twined round her left arm.