Casing Slab from a Buddhist Stupa

This slab once decorated the exterior of an ornate stupa, a reliquary mound, similar to the example depicted here. The Buddha holds his right hand in the abhaya gesture, offering protection from fear. Immediately above his head, an elephant kneels before a pillar of flame.

This aniconic (non-figurative) representation of the Buddha refers to an incident when the Shakyamuni Buddha tamed an enraged elephant. Two more non-figurative symbols of the Buddha are also depicted: an empty throne at the top left and two footprints below.