c. Late 9th - early 10th century

Buddha Preaching

The Buddha here wears a crown, necklace, and earrings to highlight his role as universal sovereign rather than as prince before his renunciation. He holds his hands in the gesture of setting the Wheel of Buddhist Law in motion (dharmachakra mudra). It was with images created during the rule of the Pala dynasty of eastern India (eighth through twelfth century) that this gesture became the standard position by which to depict the Buddha preaching.