Buddha stroking the head of a follower

myminifactory

Buddhist scripture recounts how Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, tenderly stroked or patted the heads of his disciples who had grasped his teachings, a tradition recognized today in China as moding. This sandstone plaque, possibly part of a group of plaques illustrating scenes from the life of the Buddha, portrays such an incident. The Buddha is the prominent figure left of center seated on a bench beneath the bodhi tree (the sacred fig tree where the Buddha achieved enlightenment). Two haloed figures behind him are attendant bodhisattvas, while the bald male figures at his sides are his disciples Ananda to the left and Kashyapa at right. Three fierce protective figures appear at right—the shirtless, muscular figure in front is Vajrapani (protector of the Buddha), the armored figure to his back left is Vaishravana (Guardian of the North), and the third figure is a Yaksha (an attendant to Vaishravana).