This sculpture was carved in high relief using mottled red sandstone native to Mathura in Northern India. The fine and intricate carving makes the sculpted features easily distinguishable. Established iconographic traits make it easy for a Buddhist devotee to identify him as the Buddha. Note that he originally had a full halo encircling his head signifying he is a holy figure to be worshiped. His simple monastic robe indicates he gave up all his worldly possessions. A dot on the forehead, described in texts as a tuft of silver hair and called an urna,  signifies a third eye and vision into the divine world. The protuberance on the top of the Buddha’s head, symbolizing wisdom, has suffered damage. 

This Buddha image displays the indigenous style of Mathura as opposed to the Gandharan style that adapted aspects from the Greco-Roman artistic tradition. It was sculpted in the Mathura region of north India, while the Gandharan Buddha was created in the Gandhara region, which is modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. The indigenous Indian style shows the Buddha exposing his body through thin, clinging robes, in contrast to the Gandharan style, which shows heavy, draping garments. This Sakyamuni Buddha image places a heavy emphasis on spirituality and purity, as shown in the smooth and sharply linear carving.

Benjamin Kuchipudi, Class of 2025, College of the Holy Cross