Image: Bodhisattva dedicated by Bhikshu Bala at Sarnath 123 CE

Description: Complete inscription of Bhikshu Bala (translation on image file). A very similar statue of a Bodhisattva from Kausambi, inscribed Year 2 of Kanishka. Bodhisattava dedicated by Bhikshu Bala at Sarnath dated 123 CE by an inscription of Year 3 of the reign of Kanishka. Besides the inscription on the octogonal shaft of the umbrella (here attached), which is the longest, there are also two smaller inscriptions of similar content at the base of the statue: At the front of the base of the statue: "The gift of Friar Bala, a master of the Tripitaka, (namely an image of) the Bodhisattva, has been erected by the great satrap Kharapallana together with the satrap Vanashpara." EI8 p.179 At the back of the base of the statue: "In the 3rd year of the Maharaja Kanishka, the 3rd (month) of winter, the 23rd day, on this (date specified as) above has (this gift) of Friar Bala, a master of the Tripitaka, (namely an image of) the Bodhisattva and an umbrella with a post, been erected." EI8 p.179 "The style is that of the Mathura school, the material is the red sandstone of the Agra quarries" EI8 p.179
Title: Bodhisattva dedicated by Bhikshu Bala at Sarnath 123 CE
Credit: June Coomaraswamy Origin of the Buddha Image, published 1927
Author: June Coomaraswamy
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No