The Death of the Buddha.
- Gallery: Room 33
- Culture: Kushan
- Made in: Gandhara (historic - Pakistan)
- Date: 2ndC-3rdC
- Object type: panel
- Materials: schist
- Museum number: 1899,0715.9
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
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About this object
Before you is a beautifully carved schist panel depicting "The Death of the Buddha." The figure of the Buddha lies on his right side, with his head turned slightly to the right and his feet apart. His right hand seems to rise from his robe as if in a blessing gesture, while the left hand is covered by fabric pleats below.
The Buddha’s face is expressive yet serene, with wavy hair leading into the distinctive ushnisha bump. Under his head lies a pillow with decorated corners, and above him stands a young figure, Vajrapāṇi, holding a thunderbolt. Around the bed stand four figures in elaborate attire—some seem lost in conversation, others with raised hands and pointing fingers.
Below the bed sits a meditating monk and a half-naked figure holding a flower, seemingly engaged with another monk. This rich scene reflects the visual traditions of the Gandhāra School, known for blending Hellenistic sculptural styles with Buddhist iconography. Created sometime between the 2nd and 3rd centuries in Gandhara, now part of Pakistan, this panel offers a timeless glimpse into the moment of the Buddha’s final passing.
See it in person
The Death of the Buddha. is on display in Room 33 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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