Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology
by Sreyashi Ray chowdhuri | 2018 | 90,477 words
This page relates ‘Conversion of Yasha and his friends’ of the study on Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology, including museum exhibitions of the major archeological antiquities. These pages show how the Buddhist establishment of Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) survived from 4th century BCE to 14th century CE. It includes references and translations of episodes of Buddha’s life drawn from the Avadanas and Jatakas which are illustrated in Amaravati art.
The Conversion of Yaśa and his friends
[Full title: Depiction of scenes from the life of Buddha: The Conversion of Yaśa and his friends]
Story:-
When Buddha was in Isipatana (Benaras), Yaśa, the son of Sujāta went to Buddha at night. Yaśa became a follower of Buddha and entered the order. The father on discovery that Yaśa had fled became offended. But Buddha delivered a discourse to him by which he became an Arahat. The fifty four friends of Yaśa went to the monastery to induce him to return. But when they saw him they were struck with his manner and appearance that they resolved upon becoming priests. When they went to Buddha they were admitted by the power of Iddhi (psychic power) and became arhats[1]. The story if found in Mahāvagga.[2]
Depiction:-
The central panel from Amarāvatī preserved in the Madras Government Museum shows Yaśa approaching Buddha, who is represented symbolically (Pl 24b). He is again depicted as a monk being converted. In the panel to the left the father of Yaśa bows to Buddha who preaches to him. Yaśa stands nearby holding a monk’s robe. In the panel to the right are the companions of Yaśa. The woman represented is probably Yaśa mother’s mentioned in the story of Mahāvagga.[3]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Strong John S, Op.cit, pp 86-88
[2]:
Davids T.W Rhys and Oldenberg Hermann, 1974, Op.cit, pp 102-108.
[3]:
Sivaramamurti C, Op.cit, p 182, pl xxxviii, fig 1.