ANCIENT REGION OF GANDHARA, 3RD-4TH CENTURY CE

The present figure, as indicated by the lotus held in the left hand, represents Padmapani, a manifestation of the bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara. The origins and importance of Padmapani and other bodhisattvas were developed with the rise of Mahayana Buddhism; he represents the compassion of all Buddhas. Alongside the Buddha and the bodhisattva Maitreya, Avalokiteshvara is considered one of the principle deities of early Gandharan Buddhism. The base of the figure displays a scene depicting a homa, or fire ritual, performed by a monk with three participants, one of whom is female. During such rituals, the priest would pour ghee, or clarified butter, and various ointments onto the blaze lit within the cauldron.