The Buddhist Art of Gandhara: The Story of the Early School, its Birth, Growth and Decline c16.6

c16.6

In the two upper registers are abbreviated clichés of well-known scenes which preceded the Flight. In the middle one the Bodhisattva is shown seated on the side of a couch in the pose normally associated with the ‘Sleeping Women’ scene. On his right are his horse and groom, waiting for him to mount; on his left, a very alert guard, grasping a spear. At the top, the ‘Life of Pleasure’ seems to be symbolized by the royal couple seated side by side on a couch and two of their attendants apparently overcome by sleep or drink.