The Instigation of Siddhartha, Gray Schist, Ancient Region of Gandhara Kushan period, 2nd/3rd century

a frieze panel, carved in relief, depicting Siddhartha wearing his monastic robes, sitting in dhyanasana on a grass cushion set onto a rectangular, stepped pedestal underneath the Bodhi Tree, a halo around his head, flanked by two bodhisattvas, probably Indra and Brahma, the diminutive form of Vajrapani top right.

Before he became Buddha, Siddhartha's quest for enlightenment lead him to meditate underneath the Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya in Northern India and this frieze, possibly originally from a stupa, illustrates this event. The presence of Brahma and Indra in the scene alludes to what is called the "Instigation," where they and other gods appeared to Siddhartha urging him to renounce worldly concerns and become Buddha.

For a similar frieze of this subject see I. Kurita, Gandharan Art I, The Buddha's Life Story, Japan, revised ed., 2003, p. 77, fig. P2-VII.