RESEARCH NOTE

84
84CNAS
CNAS Journal,
Journal, Vol.
Vol. 33,
33,NO.1
No. 1(January
(January 2006)
2006)
OF
BUDDHA'S LIFE DEPICTED IN THE SCULPTURS OF
Though
Though direct
direct correlation
correlation isis notnot found
found between
between the the environmental KAKREBIHAR
KAKREBIHAR
degradation
degradation andand the
the major
major diseases
diseases in Nepal, itit can
in Nepal, can not
not be
be ignored that some
somc
of
o f the
the diseases
diseases like
like diarrhea,
diarrhea, meningitis,
meningitis. kala-azar,
kala-azar, viral
viral hepatitis, parasitic Dilli Raj
Raj Sharma
Sharma
Dilli
infection,
infection, ulcer,
ulcer, respiratory
respiratory infection,
infection, etc.,
etc., affecting
affecting public
public health and killing
so
so many
many people
people inin different
different parts
parts of
o f the
the country
countr). are caused by environmental
are caused The Context
degradation.
degradation. As A s aa result
result of
of these
these problems,
problems, thi.:
the public
public health isis affected
affected For quite some timc time Kakrehihar
Kakrebihar has beenbeen an archacological
archaeological cnigma enigma fur for the
the
predominantly. ItIt demands
predominantly. demands rational and ~f(ective
rational and qffective measures
measures from
from the
the planners of cultural history of
students of of Ncpal.
NepaL more precisely
precisely of of \vest
west Ncpal
Nepal hills.
hills. 'She
The
and
and policy
policy makers
makers to to control
control and
and minimize
minimize thethe situation.
situation. of Kakrebihar
site of (28°34' north 81'38'
Kakrcbihar (2S034' 81 °38' cast) lies
lies inin the
the s<,uthcrn fringe ufthc
southern fringe of the
Valley, almost threc
Surkhct Valley. three kilomcters
kilometers from Rirendranagar,
Bircndranagar. the the headquarters
headquarters
References
References of Surkhet
Surkhct district in thc the mid-<;.cstcm
mid-I-,'cstcrn dc\elopnient
development rcgion region of of Ncpal.
Ncpal. The The
CDS.2004.
CBS. 2004.Environment
EnvironmenrStatistics
SralisficsofNepal.
ufNe~a1. Kathmandu:Central
Kathmandu: Central Bureau
Bureau of Statistics.
Statistics.
ruined site of of Kakrebihar
Kakrebihar is knonn
known for the conglomeration
conglomeration of of its
its supcrh
superb art art
ENPIIO.
EN 1993. Nepal
PliO. 1993. N e p l Environmental
~nvironmenfolPolicy Poliq, andand Action
Acrion Plan
Plan (Integrating
(Integrating
Environmentand
Environment Development) II Kathmandu:
and Development) Kathmandu: IIMGfEnvironment
llMClEnviranment Protection
Protection and architectural rcmains
remains associated
associated with
\vith llinduisn
Hindui':i!l1 andand Buddhism.
Buddhism.
Counci
Counei This article is intended to identify sonie some oorthe
f t h c notable
notable sculptures
sculptures \\hose\\hosc
HMGIDoHS. 1998.
HMGfDoHS. 1998. Annual
Annuol Report,
Reporf, /996/97. Kathmandu: IlMGlDepartment
1996197. Kathmandu: 1lMGIDeparlmcnt of descriptions ha\ehave not been published )cl.
been published yet. More
i'vforc specilically,
specifically. the the rich
rich art
art ofof

HMGfMoPE.
Health Service.
Health
tiMGIMaPE. 1998.
Service.
1998.'vepa!:
Population and
Population
Srafe0/
.1;.m/.State
and Environment.
Environment.
ofrhe
the Environment. Kathamndu: HMGfMinistry
Environmenf. Kathamndu: HMGIMinistrv of I Kakrehihar
Kakrebihar shows the distinct knowledgeknmvledgc about
religion and aartn skill that had long been
about the
been fostered in
the ad~anccment
in the
advancement of
the rcgion.
region.
of Ruddliisl
Buddhist

SThe
h e Valley of of Surkhct
Surkhet \\as
\vas popularly
popularly known
known as as the
the ccntral
central point.
point, an an
EIMGIMoPE.2002.
.HMGfMoPE. 2002 Environment
Etzvironmenr (A (A Journal
Joumal of of the
the Environment).
Environment). Vol.7,
Vo1.7, No.8,
No.8, June.
June entrcpot of of trade in thc the medieval period. This This valley
valley links
links thethe northern
northern
Kathmandu:J-IMGfMinislry
Kathmandu: li~~/Minis& ofoPopulation
Population
f and Environment
and ~nvironment
liimalayas
Himalayas to southern plains of of Ncpalgun;
Nepalgunj bordering
bordering lndia. India, From
From Tarai
Tarai the the
Ilusain, Majid
Husain, Majid (cd.).
(ed.). 1992.
1992.Medical
Afedical Geography.
Geography.New New Delhi:
Delhi: Anmol
Anmol Publications P*.
Publications Pvt.
Ltd. route enters the Surkhet Valley and then then passing
passing through
through the the mountainous
mountainous
Ltd.
Nepal, Pashupati.
Nepal, Pashupati. 1997.
1997. "Population
"Population andand Environment:
Environnlent: AnAn Impact
Impact Analysis
Analysis form
form rcgions,
regions, embracing the towns of of Dullu
Dullu and Sinja, capitals
capitals of of the
the Khasa
Khasa MallaMalia
Nepalese Perspective".
Nepalese Perspective". Economic
Economic Review. Occasional Paper.
Review. Occasional Paper. No.9.
No. 9. January.
January. rulers of
of the mediebal
medie,",'al period.
period. proceeds
proceeds further nonh north towards
to\vards the the Tibetan
Tibetan
Kathmandu:Nepal
Kathmandu: Nepal Rasta
Rasta Bank, p.72.
Bank, p.72. border. During the medieval
medieval period
period this area was was important
important not not only
only for
for trade
trade
NESS. 1995.
NESS. 1995. Research
Resecrch on Environmenlal Pollution
on Environmental PoNurrun andand Management. Kathmandu:
Afonagemenf. Kathmandu: and commerce but also for peculiarpeculiar forms of of culture
culture and and art.
art.
Nepal Environment
Nepal Environment and and Scientific
Scientific Services
Seniccs The site of of Kakrebihar,
Kakrebihar, well known
known as the the centre
centre of of Buddhist
Buddhist art art and
and
NPCIIUCN. 1991.
NPCfIUCN. 1991. Background
Jackground Papers
Papers (to (to the
the National
National Conservation
Conservation Strategy
Strategy for
for culture ooff mcdieval
medieval times, yields many masterpiece
masterpiece sculptures
sculptures as as well
well as as
Nepal). Vol.
Nepal). Vol. II and
and II.
11.Kathmandu:
Kathmandu: National
National Planning
Planning Commission/The
Commissiodlhe World designs ccarved
a n e d un
on independent
independent stone slabs of of the frieze \+hich
the frieze which mustmust have
have becnbeen
Conservation Union
Conservation Union l thc part ooff old shrine,
the shrine. The temple, which which might
might have have becnbeen plunged
plunged by by the
the
NHRCfWHO. 2002. Environmental Health in Nepal: Situation Ana~vsis. Kathmandu:
Nepal Health Research CouncilfWorld Health Organization.
attack most brobably from outsiders, indicates indicates the the northern
northern IndianIndian siklrura
sikhara
styled (i.e.
(i.e. cunilinear)
cUf\o'ilinear) temple fully
fuliy decorated with with Buddhist
Buddhist sculptural
sculptural art
Park, K.
Park, K. 1994.
1994.Text Book 0/
Texl Book
MIS Banarasidas.
Banarasidas.
o/Prevenrive
Preventive andandSocial India: Bhanot,
h4edi&e. India:
Social Medicine. Bhanat, Jawalpur,
Jawalpur, I and several other designs. Thc The remains oof f can,ed
carved doorjambs
doo~jambs conlirmconfirm the
art
the
MJS
UNEP. 2001.
UNEP. 2001, A'epal: Stare 0/
h'epal: State o/rhe Environmenr 200/.
the Environment 2001. Kathmandu:
Kathmandu: United
United Nations
Nations entrance ofof the temple was beautifully
beautifully delineatd
delineatd withwith several
several ligurcs
figures ofminor
of minor
Environment Programme.
EnvironmentProgramme. Buddhist deities in the niches and decorative
decorative scroll motifsmotifs around.
around. In In the
the year
year
UNEPIWHO 1996.
UNEPfWHO. 1996.Linkage -
Linkage Methods
Merhods for Environmenfand
lor Environment and Health
HealfhAnalysis: General 2003 the Department of Archaeology of
of Archaeology of Nepal
Nepal excavated
excavated the the Kakrcbihar
Kakrebihar sitc site
Guidelines, AA Report
Guidelines,
making (HEADLAMP)
making
M.(eds). Geneva:
M.(eds).
Report of

Geneva: United
Organization
Organization
of the
(HEADLAMP ) Project,
the Health
Health and
Prqiect, In:
United Nations
and Environment
Environment Analysis

Nations Environment
Analysis for
D.. Corvalance
Briggs, D.,
In: Briggs, Carvalance C.
Environment ProgrammelWorld
for Decision-
C. and
Decisian-
and Nunninen
Nurminen
Programme~World HealthHealth l and successfully
suecessfulIy unearthed the debris of
Ilence,
lIenee, many sculptures of
recordable.
recordable. 'This
This made
made us
of ruined
ruined sructure
of the Buddha and Buddhist
us possible
possible toto assess
assess the
S':ructure oof
Buddhist subsidiary
the popularity
f aa stona
stone- temple.
subsidiary deities
popularity uf of the
temple.
deities arc
the developed
developed
arc

VHAl .1992.
VHAI ,1992.State ofIndia's Health.
Stare o//ndia's India: Voluntary
Heolrh.India: Voluntary Health
Health Association
Association oflndia.
of lndia. form of
of sculptural art in this region.

Contributions to Nepalese Studies, Vol. 33,

33, No.
NO.11 (January
(January 2006).
2006), 885-96
596
Copyright 0© 2006 CNP.STTU
CNASfTU
 CNAS Journal,
86 CNAS
86 Journal, VoL
Vol. 33, No. 11 (January
33, No (January 2006)
2006)
Buddha's Life
Buddha's Life Depicted in
in the
the Sculpturs
Sculpturs of Kakreb'har
Kakreblhar 87
87
Early attempts
attempts to to identify
identify Kakrebihar
Kakrebihar
Interestingly, the
Interestingly, thc famous
ikmous Italian Oricntologist
Oricntologist Prof Prof. Giuseppe
Giuseppe Tucci Tucci has
has not this sense.
this sense. as
as in
in other Buddhist sites,
sites, Kakrebihar played aa prominent role forfor
th
mentioned Kakrebihar
mentioned Kakrebihar in in his
his book.
book. He Hc must
must have have missed
missed tn tn visit
visit the
the sitesite inspiring on
inspiring on carving
carving the
the beautiful
beautiful and
and expressive
expressive images
imagcs during thc 12
during the 12"'
during his
during his historical
historical survey survey of of western
western Nepal.Nepal. Yogi Naraharinath reported
Yogi Naraharinath reported ccntury A.D.
century The follmvings
A D . The followings are
are the
the newly
newly recovered
rccovcred important
importa~~t imagcs of
images o f the
the
briefly about
briefly about thethe site
site during
during the timc of
the time of his
his exploration
exploration in in 2011
2017 VS r 1956 A.
VS (1956 A. site.
site.
D.). According to
D.). According to Yogi,
Yogi. the the site
site could
could be be linked
linked to to Asokachalla,
Asokachalla, aa ruler ruler of of
hlalla dynasty
Malia dynasty during
during 12" l2Ih century
century A.D. (Yogi II iiii 2013
A.D. (Yogi 2013 VS:VS: 170-172).
170-172). Before
Before Birth scene
Birth scene of the Buddha
of the Buddha (Figure
(Figure I) 1)
cscavation only
excavation only aa handful
handful of of sculptures
sculptures and and limited
limited number
number of of carved
carved stones
stones A single stone
A single stone slab
slab with
with the
the scene
scene ofof birth
birth story
story of of Lord
Lord Buddha
Buddha isis nono doubt
doubt aa
were
~ c r recorded
recorded
e on
on the
the surface
surface of of the
the mound.
mound. significant art
significant a n specimen
spccimen of of Kakrebihar.
Kakrebihar. In In this
this relief,
relief, Mayadcvi
Maladcvi isis seen
seen
Although the
Although name, Kakrebihar,
the name, Kakrebihar. impliesimplies aa vihara
vihara or or monastery
monastery but, but, in in standing on
standing on the
the pedestal
pedestal together
together with
with her
her newlyborn
newlyborn baby baby prince
prince Siddhartha
Siddhartlia
het. the
lact. the site
site isis nothing
nothing more more thanthan aa sikhara
sikhara styledstyled temple
temple that
that consist
consist of of in samabhanga
in santabhanga pose. pose. Mayadevi's
Mayadevi's headhead isis decorated
decorated with with llsnisha and she
trsnisha and shc has
has
sctcral miniature
sc\cral miniature sikharas
sikharas in in successive
successive layers layers of uf the
the superstructure.
superstructure. We WC can can aa lo\,./er
lower garment
garment aroundaround her her waist,
waist, which
which isis delineated
deline~tedin in beautiful
beautilul lc.xtile
tcstilc
~.asil)discern
easily discern skillfully
skillfully carvedc a n e d images
images of of the
the Buddha,
Buddha, Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva and and other
other pattern. Although
pattern. Although her her left
left hand
hand isis missing,
missing, the the remaining
remaining raisedraiscd right
right hand
hand
minor Buddhist
minor Buddhist deities.
dcities. Many Many such such images
images are are nmvnow preserved
preserved in in thethe can be
can be identified
identilied in in the
the abhaya pose. Beside
abhaya pose. Beside Mayadevi,
Mayadevi. her her son
son Siddhartha
Siddhartha isis
IIircndranagnr Regional
Bircndranagar Regional Museum Museum of of the
thc Government
Government of of Nepal.
Nepal. The
'The rest
rest ofof the
the also standing
aiso standing on on the
the back
back ofof the
the lion
lion dinging
clinging on on to to his
his mother.
mother. Although
Although the the
sculpturcs and
sculptures and other
other artistic
artistic carvings
carvings can can be be seen
seen still
still lying
lying onon the
the site.
site. Thus,
'lhus, hcnd of
head of the
the child
child isis damaged,
damaged, ascribed
ascribed designs
designs clearly
clearly show
show thethc beautiful
beautiful
thc art
the art activity
activity of of Kakrcbihar
Kakrcbihar features features the the beautifully
beautifully carved
carved images
images ligure in
figure in representation.
representation.
indicating the
indicating thc spread
spread of o f tthe
h c Buddhist
Buddhist art art belonging
belonging to to the
the Mahayana
Mahayana school
school of of Both the
Both the upper
upper corners
corners of of the
the stone
stone slab
slab have
havc the the design
design of of half
half circle
circle
I3uddhism in
Buddhism in that
that partpart of of western Nepal. The
western Nepal. The interesting
interesting partpart of
of the
the images
images \.\\heels while the
. . heels while the lower
lower corner
corner depicts
depicts the the design
dcsign of of tendrils.
tendrils. The'lhc
can be
can be ascertained exclusively carving
ascertained exclusively caning the the life
life history
history ofof the
the Buddha.
Buddha. No No such such representation of
representation of aa lion
lion here,
here, nono doubt,
doubt, symbolizes
symbolizes the the clan-name
clan-name sakyasimha
sakyasi~~rho
other sites
other sites of
ofthc region have
the region have donedone so.so. to \vhich
to which the
the Buddha
Buddha belonged.
belonged. Next
Next toto the
the lion
lion there
there isis aa projected
prqiectcd bandband \\'ith
nith
The tradition
The tradition of of the depiction life
the depiction life scenes
scenes of of the
the Buddha
Buddha in in stone
stone art
art cancan decorative niche
decorative niche which
which contains
contains thethe figure
figure ofof an
an elephant.
elephant. The The elephant
elephant must
must
I;c traced
be traced out out from
from the the inspiration
inspiration of of Gandhara
Gandhara and and Mathura
Mathura School
School at at the
the h a w been
have bccn aa white
white elephant
elephant Mayadevi,
Mayadevi, as as literal)'
literary tradition
tradition narrates,
narrates, dreamed
dreamed
beginning of
beginning of Christian
Christian era. era. Bharhut
Bharhut art art illustrated
illustrated the the narrative
narrative scenes
scenes related
related before giving
before giving birth
birth to
to Siddhartha. This relief~
Siddhartha. This relief. thus,
thus. indicates
indicates the the birth-story
birth-story ofof
to the
to the story
story ofof previous
previous birth birth ofof the
the Buddha
Buddha symbolizing
symbolizing Chaitya,
Chaitya, Bodhi
Bodhi tree,tree, the Buddha.
the Buddha. BelowBelow the the pedestal,
pedestal. one
one cancan sec
sce thethe design
dcsign of of rolling
rolling scrolls
scrolls
disc. etc.
disc. etc. during
during 2nd 2nd centul)'
century B.C. B.C. TheThe Gandhara
Gandhara school, school, on on the
the other,
other, laid
laid thethe with the
with thc bud
bud inin the
the centre.
centre.
landmark history
landmark history of of Buddhist
Buddhist sculptural
sculptural art, art, and
and started
started to to make
make the
the images
imagcs
the Buddha
ol the
of Buddha that that denote
denote different
different scenes
scenes basedbased on on his
his life
life activities
activities onlyonly Buddha in
Buddha in the
the scene
scene of of Enlightenment
Enlightenment (Figure(Figure 2) 2)
after I"1"ccntury
,dler century A.D.A.D. (Chaudhary
(Choudhary 1956: 1956: 48).
48). The seated
The seated image, depicting the
imagc, depicting the scene
sccne ofof the
the Buddha's
Buddha's Enlightenment
Enlightenment at at
Uuddhagala after
13uddhagaya after aa rigorous
rigorous practice
practice of of dhyana,
dhyana, hashas been
been aa widely
widely accepted
acceptcd
Buddhist
Buddhist sculptures
sculptures at a t Kakrebihar
Kakrebihar thcme In
theme in Buddhism.
Buddhism. Normally,
Normally, in in this
this scene
scene the
the Buddha
Buddha isis seated
scatcd in in dhyana
dlryana
Many Buddhist
rv'1any Buddhist sculptures
sculptures found
found around
around thethe ruins
ruins of
of Kakrebihar
Kakrebihar suggest
suggest that
that touching the
touching the earth
earth (bhusparsha
(bhti.parsha mudra) with his
nrtrdra) with his right
right hand
hand showing
showing the thc
the site
the site was
was aa developed
dcveloped Mahayana
Mahayana centre
centre ofof art
art in
in this
this region.
region. Most
Most ofof the
the gesture of
gesture of cnvoking
envoking the the earth
earth goddess
goddess for for the
the witness
witness of of his
his long
long awaited
awaited
carved images
carved images display
display the
the theme
theme ofof dhyani Buddha, sitting
dhyani Buddha, sitting independently
independently on on success. ItIt isis said
success. said that
that when
when he
he was
was sitting
sitting on
on penance
penance Mara,Mara, the
the demon,
demon, sentsent
the pedestal
the pedestal whilst
whilst other
other sculptures
sculptures narrate
narrate several
several themes
themes relating
relating thethe his three
his thrce daughters
daughters including
including Tanha
Tanha with
with anan army
army to to create
create disturbance
disturbance in in his
his
incidences of
incidences of the
the life
life history
history ofof the
the Buddha.
Buddha. Interestingly,
Interestingly, many
many Buddhist
Buddhist attainment. Bu~
final attainment.
final Bu: despite
despite the
the attempt
attempt he he made,
made, thethe Buddha
Buddha succeeded
succeeded to to
sculpturcs of
sculptures of historical
historical siles
sites represent
represent the
the scenes
sccnzs based
based on on the
the life
life history
history ofof defeat him
defeat him and and achieved
achieved Enlightenment.
Enlightenment. This This waswas at at this
this historical
historical and and
the Buddha,
the Buddha, such such as as birth,
birth, death,
death. Sravasti
Srawsti miracle,
miracle, monkey's
monkey's 'offering
-offering of of critical juncture
critical juncture whenwhen thethe determined
determined Buddha
Buddha invoked
invr~kedthe the earth
eanh godqess
godcess to to be
be
honey, taming
honey, taming of of the
the mad
mad elephant;
elephant; enlightenment
enlightenment atat Bodhgaya,
Bodhgaya, the the first
first the witness
the witness of of his
his entering
entering Buddhahood.
Buddhahood. This This scene
scene isis nicely
nicely portrayed
portrayed inin this
this
sermon of
sermon of Saranath,
Saranath, andand Buddha's
Buddha's descend
descend fromfrom Traystrimsa heaven, arc
Trqsrrirnsa heaven, arc relief. The
relief. The figure
figureof of the
the Buddha
Buddha isis carved
carved scated
seated in in dhyana.
dhyana.He He isis flanked
flanked byby
noteworthy from
noteworthy from the
the point
point ofof view
view of
of the
the development
development of of Buddhist
Buddhist sculptural
sculptural two other
two other unidentified
unidentified figures
figures in
in seperate
seperate niches.
niches. Since
Since thethe image
image isis badly
badly
art equally
art equally inin India,
India, Nepal
Nepal andand Tibet.
Tibet. Among
Among these,
these, Kakrebihar
Kakrebihar promoted
promoted abraded so
abraded so one
one cannot
cannot describe
describe its
its artistic
artistic features
features in in details.
details. However,
However, the the
some life
some life incidences
incidences of of the
the Buddha
Buddha through
through thethe sculptural
sculptural artart of
of the
the region.
region. InIn niche isis embellished
niche embellished with with trefoil
trefoil torana overarching the
torana overarching the figure
figure and and anan
additional small
additional small chhatra
chharracan can be
be seen
seen above
above the
the head
head of of the
the Buddha.
Buddha. The The side
side
I
I

11
 88 Buddha's Life
Buddha's Life Depicted
Depicted in
in the
the Sculpturs
Sculptursof
ofKakrebihar
Kakrebihar89
89
86 CNAS
CNAS Journal,
Journal, Vol.
Vol. 33,
33. NO.1
No. 1 (January 2006)
(January 2006)

ligures
ligures must
must be
be Mara
Mara and
and his
his assistants
assistants in
in the
the act of disturbing
act of disturbing the
the Buddha.
Buddha. niche. The
niche. The figure
figure of of thethe Buddha
Buddha i is seated in
s seated padmasana pose
in podnzusann pose on on aa double-
double-
Thus. the scene
Ihus. the scene vcry
very interestingly
interestingly represents
represents one
one of the illustrahle
of the illustrablc thcnics
themes on
on petalled
petaJ1ed lotus.
lotus. The The lotus
lotus itself
itself rests
rests on on aa square
square base base decorated
decorated with \vith thethe
the stone.
llic stone. dcsign
design ofof lorcnges.
lozenges. BcloiiHelm\' this.this. lhcrc
there is is the
the symbol
symbol oof f two
two tendrils
tendrils that Ihat hhave
aw
fuJ1-hlown tin!
full-blonn tiny Ilo\\ers
flowcrs in in the
thc centre.
centre. ThisThis design
design associates
associates with \',lith the
the \\heels
wheels
Buddha
Buddha in in Dharmachakra
Dharmachakra Mudra
M u d r a (Turning
( T u r n i n g of
of the
the Wheel
Wheel of Dhamma
of Dhamma probably
probahly giiing
giving the shape ooff aa ralha.
the \hapc ratha. IIn n addition,
addition. two two half chakra s)mbol
halfchahra symbol can can
(Figure
(Figure 3) 3) be seen
be seen on on thethe upper
upper scction
section ooff thethe niche.
niche. IThe carved imagc
h e caned image indicates
indicates the the
r-,..'lany
Many Buddha
Buddha images
images portray
portray the
the important
itiiportant eventevent of
of the
the first
first sermon the
serrtion tlic Buddha's serene
Buddha's serene cspression.
expression. The The figure
figure of of thethe deity
deity shows
shows his his right
right hand hand
Buddha
Buddha gave gave in
in Saranath. This incident
Saranath. This incideni of of the
the Buddha
Buddha is knu\vn as
is knuwn as raising
raising upup to to the
the chest
chest nithwith thethe gesture
gesture of of fbrming
forming the the circle
circle with
with the the thumb
thumb
Dhor!1lachak.raponartana
I)i~o~nznchnkr.apcimorfana or
or first
first turning
turning of of the
the Wheel
h'hccl in
in Buddhist
Buddhist literature.
literature. and the index lingurc. Iingure. 'T he gesture ooff the
The the lcft
!eft hand
hand is is not
not clear
c lear as as itit is
is broken
broken
["he
Ihe beau:ifully
beautifully carved caned image irnagc has has broken
broken hands. hands. The The markmark made made by by the the oll:
off. The Buddha in this relief relief is decorated with with rrsnisha
llsnisha (wisdom
(wisdom cap) cap) on on the
the
broken right hand on the chest
broken right hand on the chest no doubt indicates the gesture o f no doubt indicates the gesture or head while the chivara (robe) can be
head be seen
scen nwithi t h \er)
very thinncr
thinner line line on on thethe body.
body.
dharmachakraparrarlana.
~ii~iirr,znchukrapur~arlana. Normally.
Normally. the the depiction
depiction of hand g<..~sturc
of hand grsturc should
should This is marked h) hy the folded lines on on hishis left
left arm.
arm, indicating
indicating the the robe
robe
meaningfully be
meaningfully raised up
be raised up to to chest
chcst and and thethe fbrefinger
fc>refinger and and thu~b
thumb oCthe o f t h c right
right sprcading down between
spreading hetween the legs. legs.
hand
1h:ind formf i r m aacircle
circle inin the
the gesture
gesturc like like l'itarka.
virrrrka. According
According to to Cihose
(;hose (1998: 24),
(1998: 21). The figure of of the Buddha eshihits exhibits an 3natornicalanatomical pcrfcction.
perfection. I'hc The
the
the gesture
gesture of o f the
the left
l c l i hand
hand raised
raised slightly
slightly at at Imv
low levellevel suggests
suggests the the Tibetan
Tibetan physiognom! is \isible
physiognomy visible in a round shapc shape and the hod) body' oofi the the image
image is is
chara<.:ter.
character. The The Ruddha.
Buddha. inin this this popular
popular scene, scene. should should be flanked bY
he flanked t,) two
two rni,dclcd n
moueled i t h soli
with soft and energetic motemcnt. movement. The hali'closcd half-closed c)es eyes pportray
o r t r q the
the
J~ities
dcitics i.l:. i.e. Padmapani
Padmapani and and V,-~irapaoi
Vajrapani 00 on left left aod and rightright respe~tivcl;.
respectivcl! serene attitude \\h'ch
serene wh;ch iiss common in the sculpture sculptures ooff t theh e Uuddha.
Buddha. Similarly.
Similarly,
(Snellgrove
(Sncllgl-o\c 1978:251). 1978:251). In I n Kakrl:bihar
Kakrcbihar the the figureligure of u l Padmapani.
Pndmapani. on on the the lell.
lcft. thc eyelids
the c)elids arc are delineated
delineated in in arching lines that emerge Srom from the root ooff the the
has n o r n aawisdom
hns\vorn uisdoni cap cap while\rhilc the the figure
ligure on on the the right
right shows
shows till: tlic charactcr
character of o f aa n n c . The lips
n('se. lips arc gelltly
gcntl) closcd
closed nhile
while the chin is modeled model cd in round shape. shapc.
Brahmin
ilr~ihrnin ascetic
ascctic withwith shaved
slia~ed head
headand wearing dhoti
and wearing dlloli as as aa 10\\'l:r
lo\rcr garmcnt.
parrncnt. The The Thus, the the sculptor very v c 9 ably presents
presents the divine pcriection perfection in this ligure. figure. On
~cut
scat or O S thetlic Buddha
Buddha reveals
reveals square square shape shape of of which
\ \ l ~ i c hthe liontal p~rt
the frontal part bears
bears the the hoth the
both the sides
sides of the deity deity are arc carved small. scatcd seated figures in onjnii anjali posture.
ilgure
fipurcof (if two
tn.o lions
lions LlCing
facing and and butting
butting each each other. other. Below Belun the the scatscat. there
there arl: arc S e ~ e r aother
Several l ligurcs can
figures can also
also be he seen
seen carved
caned on both corners o off the nichc.
niche.
two
l\\(> tendrils
tendrils similarly
bimilarly winding\\inding inin circularcircular mOlif motif on on both sides nf
both sides 01the
the 100\er
lo\\cr The? might
They might be he the
the figures
ligurcs of o f disciples who n h o arearc g a i n & at the Uuddha's
gazing Buddha's
see:i~)J1
scction of t h e.nich~.
o l the nichc. The I h c design
design of the chhotl"(l
o f the clilrorrir ahove aho\c the the heud
hcnd and and arching
arching miracle. Above
mirade. Abobe the the head
head or o f the
the Buddha's
Rtlddha's image has the decoration ooff tthe hi
tretol! ill o ~ n ~I~i isonoticeable
I r e t i ~!OI'(/1W noticeable and and exhibit
exhibit higher
liighcr nrt art skill.
skill. TheI'hc Ilnnking pilasters
flanhing pilasters brarich of
lnUilch o f aa tree
tlwe and
and further
iunhcr aboveaholc is ovcrshado~tcdby
is overshadowed h) a trclbil
trefoil arched-band
arc
;~rcdecorated
dvc~lratcdInin cage·motifcafe-motif ntat the thc toptop with
\ \ i t h embdlishing
emhcllishing !ozenQcs lo/enfcs around.anrund. rcstin? on
resting on twot \ \ o pilasters.
pilasters. The The arched-band
arched-band is is stamped
stampcd with \rith scroll designs and
krc, the
i ilcrc. tlic carved
caned designdesign of o f the trcii>il !omna
thc trefoil tovrrno and and pi~l.';ters
pil:istcrs ;Ul.w.est
sugpcst the the groo\e pntlern.
gmovc pattern. Similarly,
Similarly, cylindrical
c!lindrical pilasters show the design dcsign of of circular
n~ctici:!ous
meticulous dccorati\e skill.
decornti\'e skill. TheI ' h c hulf-ex[losed
licli'expi,scd bodies bodies of of thethc sidesidc d~Tties
dcitics arc arc bands in
bands in aa vcrtical
vertical arrangement.
arrangement. Thc The finial
finial ofofthethe pilasters is embellished
cmhellished with
~i\'en
$en special special consideration
consideration inin this this relief.
relicl: The I'hc robe rohc \\"orn
\\ern bv b? the
the Buddha
Huddha. small cage-motif
small cage-motif with \\ith lozenges.
lozenges. Thi~:T h i , mnkes
makes the the niche
nichc of the figure ligurc beautiful
\\hich
nhich cling cling tig.htly,
tightly. isis falling
ijililhg from from the the lell
l e l i shoulder
shi)uldcr and and pas~ing
passing under under tl;~ the and clcgant.
and elegant.
right
:-~ght shoLJ1Je~.
shoulder. rhe I h cswelling
siLelling chest chcstand 21nilthinner
thinncr waist. naist. no doubt. doubt. represent
rcprescnt the the
nolahlc phySIcal
notable character of
ph!sicol character o f thethe Buddha.
l3uddhii. Similarlv.
Similar!?. the the half-elosed
half-closed eves c?cs B u d d h a in
Buddha i n Abhaya
Abhaya Mudra M u d r a (Figure
(Figure 5) 5)
cllnsiderabiy
ciinsidel-ahi)supports sopportsthe thefact factofascctic
o f asceticnature natureof the deity.
oftlie dcit) . Buddha images
Buddha images in in ahhaya
o h h q o mudra
r,tt,dra (the
(the gesture
gesture of o f assurance
assurance or or fearlessness)
are also
arc also popular
popular in in the
the Kakrebihar
Kakrcbihar site. site. InI n this
this particular
panicular scene
scene the
the Buddha is is
.~u.ddha
B u d d h :in~i nthe
theSrav::tsti
Sravastil\1iracle
hliracle(Figure
(Figure4)4) depicted in
depleted in seated plsturc on
seated posturl: on an simple
simple square
square pedestal
pedestal \',lith
svith his
his right
right hand
hand
rThis particularimage
hIS particular imagebased
hdscdon onthe
thestory
storyofo fthe
theSravasti
Srat'astimiracle
miracleisisbelieved
believedtoto raiscd up
raised up to to (he
the lev,-I
Iev,l ofofchcst shoning open
chest shoH'ing open palm
palm and
and the
the left
left palm
palm isis resting
resting
h~~\'C pcrli>rmcd~y
li:i\c perfor.med h?the Buddha. ItIt isis stated
the Buddha. stated that
that the
the Buddha
Buddha performed
performed aa on the lap.
o n the l a p This
This fXlsture
posture orof Buddha
Buddha isis considerably
considerably associated
associated \vith
with the
the theme
theme
chiiraclc bcJore
miracle hclbre KlngKing Prasenjit
Prazenjit atat aa specially
specially built
built pavilion
pavilion inin Sravasti.
Sravasti. InI n religious sermon.
o f religious
of scrmon. ItI t isis also
also notahle
nutable thatthat f3uddha's
Buddha's abhaya
abhayo mudra
mudva cancan be
be
ll1an~'
Iiiany(d'u fthese
thesetypes
typesofo lscenes.
scenes. thethe Buddha
Buddhaisisseen
seensitting
sittingon onthe
the lotus
lotus with
with interpreted as his assurance to the \vorld of his
interpreted as his assurance to the \vorld of his ability to \',lithstand all ability to withstand all
specialhand
speclal handgesture
gestureforfor performing
performingthe the miracle.
miracle.This
This piece
piece isisconsidered
considered aa temptations and
kmptations and lind
tind out
out thethe cause
cause and and remedy
remedy of of sorrow
sorrow andand suffering
sufkring
\ ,cry \\,ellcreated
cry \veII createdartartform
ttirniininterm
tcrniof ofcsprcssion
expression and andmodel
modcling.
ing. (Sitaramamma 2004:
(Sitaramamma 2004: 150).150). The
The dress
dress and and other
other attributes
attributes of
o f the
the image
image are
are
Thes~ulrture
. The sculptureisiscarved
c a r ~ cin
dina adecorative
decurative niche
nichcononthe
thesingle
singlestone
stoneslab.
slab. similar toto other
simlbr other images ~nentioned
images mentioned in the
in the text.
text. The
The Buddha
Buddha in in abhaya
abhaya mudra
n~trdra
I lieIlllage
J he imageISisflanked
flankedbybytwo beautifullycarved
twobeautifully carvcdpilasters
pilast<:rson hothsidl:S
a nboth sidesofofthc
the
90 CNAS Journal, Vol. 33, NO.1 (January 2006)
is, as has been said. based on the expression of Amoghasiddhi, one of the
dhyani huddhas, sitting on the northern direction of the Chaityas.
In the Kakrebihar relief the Buddha is seated in dhyana on a seat made
of double-petalled flower. The right hand of the figure is however broken off.
The mark on the abdomen level suggests abhaya posture. The remaining
right hand is resting on the lap. Although the head of the image is partly
damaged, the other feature can, np doubt, be ascertained a beautiful
representation of the body. The half-closed eyes signity the gesture of deep
meditation. The robe worn by the deity is marked in various pleated lines
across the chest leaving the right shoulder bare. Here, it clearly indicates the
fringe of the robe swinging out of the left elbow. The image shows a carving
in the niche flanked by beautiful design of pilasters. The decoration of the
remaining pilasters suggest cylindrical in shape including the cage-motif
design and a trefoil arch torana above.
Buddha in Dana Mudra (Figure 6)
This figure portrays the feature of Ratnasambhava, one of the five dhyani
buddhas who is normally seen facing to the southern direction. The Buddha
is touching the earth with his upturned palm of the right hand while his left
hand rests on the lap, represents the theme of life activity of the Buddha
particularly giving dana in this relief. The Buddha is seated on a decorated
seat which is embellished in the foliages designs. Although the head of the
Buddha is missing the other features suggest its notable hand gesture. As
with other Buddha images, the robe worn by the Buddha displays several
pleats at the edge that emerges from the left shoulder and is hidden behind his
lower right chest. This may slightly be considered dissimilar with the above
images so far. The edge of the robe is clinging out of the left elbow of the
deity, which could be the common features of images. One of the distinct
characters of this image is the representation of solid and columnar limbs of
the deity.
The Buddha huldin~ noney offered by Ite monkeys (Figure 7)
This is a unique image and can be identified as the first sculptural example of
Nepalese Buddhism so far recovered in the country. In this context, the image
places a prominent role not only for Kakrebihar but also for the whole
country from the point of view of the developed Buddhist sculptural art. The
image, no doubt, portrays the life story of the Buddha based on honey
offering to him by the monkey. The legend tells us that in course of the
offering the honey to the Buddha, a group of monkeys danced in extreme
ecstasy but while doing so one monkey fell down into the well and
immediately died. This story is described in Dhammapada Commentatory
and also narrated by Xuan Zang (lluen Tsang) (Pal 1984: 48),
Buddha's Life Depicted in the Sculpturs of Kakrebihar 91
In this relief, the Buddha's figure is beautifully carvcd in a seated
posture on a three-tier seat with both legs pendent. Another remarkable
feature of the image is the representation of aureole around the head of the
Buddha indicating a divine status. This is embellished with sun-rays around.
He also wears the usual usnisha on his head and a thin robe can be seen on
his body across the chest. The left arm of this image is broken off while his
right hand carries the bowl type object. This might have been the bowl of
honey as it is dripping down from the palm of the deity. In front of the deity
there is a tiny figure of a monkey carved in the lower corner of the niche in
an acrobatic posture. This, no doubt, is the expression based on the litcrar~
tradition of Buddhism.
The expression of the deity is cheerful and is seen with opening his
mouth and eyes slightly. The physical appearance of the Buddha reveals
younger in both modeling and expression. It is noteworthy that one Thanka
painting from Tibet which has 16 various life incidences of Buddha. One of
them shows the scene offering honey to the Buddha by monkey. Here, the
Buddha is seated on the pedestal as the one in the figure of Kakrebihar. In the
Tibetan Thanka the monkey is touching the knees of the Buddha (Pal 1984:
63), but this feature is not found in the Kakrebihar figure.
Above the central image, the tree indicates the beautiful scenery of a
forest. Similarly, the niche is carved in trefoil arch and side pilasters are
decorated with cage-motifs. Below the seat is the design of two tendrils
culminating in a tiny bud carved on both sides, while the central section
depicts kir/imukha design. Thus, the image carries skillfully the idea of
narrative scene of the Buddha on stone.
Narrative Scenes in a single stone-slab (Figure 8)
It is interesting to note yet another illustrative scene based on Buddha's life
history in a single stone slab. There are three different narrative scenes
representing the distinct postures of the Buddha seated in the separate niches,
while additional two niches that are carved in alternate row contain the
standing figures of the demon-like creature. These figures might have been
associated with the story of Mara and his daughters that are giving a trouble
to the Buddha during his dhyana,
Almost three scenes of the life of Buddha can be identified in this single
slab. The first scene, from the right, displays dhyana, the second exhibits the
first sermon while the third 'reveals the miracle performed by the Buddha in
Sravasti. The rest of the figures, depicted in two alternate niches, can be
identified with Mara and his assistant, represent in their unique posture.
Finally, the historic site of Kakrebihar offers the marvelous collection
of monumental art comparable in the whole region, which confirms the fact
that the region has a higher advancement of the Buddhist Mahayana tradition
that might have been under the inspiration of western part of India
 CNASJournal,
92CNAS
92 Journal,Vol. 33,NO.1
Vol. 33, (January 2006)
No. 1 (January 2006) Buddha's L~feDepicted in the Sculpturs of Kakrebihar 93
Buddha's Life Depicted in the Sculplurs of Kakrebihar 93

particularlyof
particularly Gujarat during
of Gujarat during the medieval period.
the medieval period. The Mahayana knowledge
The Mahayana knowledge
inin practice might have
practice might been blended
have been blended with Ilindu ideology
with Hindu ideology andand popularized
popularized itit
as aa social
as harmony of
social harmony of the
the region. The site,
region. The site, therefore, unfolds the
therefore, unfolds history of
the history of
Buddhism inin the
BUddhism framework of
the framework of higher
higher degree
degree ofof art skill developed
art skill developed in the
in the
region. In
region. In conclusion,
conclusion, itit can
can be asserted that
be asserted Kakrebihar now
that Kakrebihar faces aa serious
now face5 serious
conservation problenl despite
conservatfan problem despite its its historic
historic andand artistic!
artistic! archaeological
archaeological
significance. The
significance. The Government
Government of of Nepal
epal has carried out
has carried out preliminary
preliminary
excavation and
excavation and the
the conservation
conservationto salvage the
to salvage the shrine
shrine and the remains.
and the remains. But
But
care of
proper care
proper the whole
of the whole site and further
sitc and conservation and
further conservation rcsearch are
and research are
warranted in order to save the legacy of art asset of the regicn
warranted in order to save the legacy of art asset of the regien as a whole. as a whole.

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 Buddha's Life Depicted in the Sculpturs af Kakrebihar
94 CNAS Journal, Vol. 33, NO.1 (January 2006) Buddha's Life Depicted in the Sculpturs of Kakrebihar 95
94 CNAS Journal, Vol. 33, No. 1 (January 2006)

-Figure 3: !3uddha in Dharmachakra Mudra

>

Ptgure j: Buddha in Dharmachakra Mudra

Buddhai~inAbhaya
Figure5:5 :Buddha
Figure AbhayaMUdr~---
Mu~la

igure 6: RudJIla in Dana Mudra

Figure 4: Buddha in the Sravasti Miracle
Figure 4: Buddha in the Sravasti Miracle
F

96 CNAS Journal, Vol. 33, No. l (January 2006) ~ ~o:s q I fO I <f;l ~ ~ ~ 3mTl1cfiT Cfi(,\l <tikl
96 CNAS Journal, Vol. 33, No.1 (January 2006)

'!<ltt1ft¥O(('l"c:!i1 ~

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- "i~i1~I'""IIi14Cl'T'llFTlIT ~
:..L.,;,;5:..::.-_"""":'-":"""""":>".!.
I'igure 7: The Buddha holding honey offercd b!. tlrc monkeys
Figure 7: The Buddha holding honey offered by the monkeys
~ 311fG CfCIr:rrcN ~ ~ ~~J ~ '>T\iR, arnfu 311fG crrf1:fq;
~ ~<"dFtr ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ <::0'5qlfbl$l tWfT
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Contributions to Nepalese
Contributions to Nepalese Studies,
Studies, Vol 33, No
Vol. 33, (January 2006),
No.17 (January 97-1 19
2006),97-119
Copyright Q 2006 CNASRU
Copyright © 2006 CNASrrU
Figure 8: Narrative Scenes in n single stone-slab
Figure 8: Narrative Scenes in a single stone-slab