The Pala Empire, one of the major middle kingdoms of India, existed from 750–1174 CE. It was ruled by a Buddhist dynasty from Bengal in the eastern region of the Indian subcontinent, all the rulers bearing names ending with the suffix Pala. Manjushri is seated on his mount, a lion. His relaxed pose, with one leg hanging down, is called lalita-asana and is often found in images of bodhisattvas. On the water lily to the right of Manjushri’s head is his attribute – the book, a symbol of wisdom. Manjushri is making the gesture to set the wheel of doctrine in motion, the dharmacakra mudra.

---

Size: 3700px × 4916px
Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 11th, art, arts, asia, asian, bengal, bengali, bodhisattva, bronze, buddha, buddhism, buddhist, century, dynasty, india, indian, mahayana, manjushri, metalwork, pala, photograph, religion