we revisit the Mathura Museum, a site that preserves some of India’s most elegant examples of early Buddhist art.
In 1862 CE (2405 BE), Alexander Cunningham, one of the founding figures of Indian archaeology, conducted excavations at Jamalpur Mound, near Mathurā. There, he unearthed 35 Buddha images, both intact and fragmented, as well as sculpted red sandstone slabs believed to be parts of monasteries (vihāras) and monastic halls (saṅghārāmas).
These artifacts were eventually curated and displayed when the Mathura Museum was established. Among them, one Buddha image stands out for its exceptional craftsmanship.
Artistic Features:
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The statue has a circular halo (prabhāmaṇḍala).
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The face is full and serene, with an oval-shaped facial structure—hallmarks of Gupta art, although the statue was discovered in Mathurā.
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Unlike typical Mathurā-style art, this piece reflects the stylistic influence of Sarnath, a major artistic and religious center during the Gupta period.
Without the inscription at its base, we would never have known who created this masterpiece.
The Inscription:
There are two lines, written in a mix of Sanskrit and Prakrit, using Brāhmī script:
Line 1:
Deyadharmo yaṁ Śākya-bhikṣo Yaśadinnasya yad atra pu-
Line 2:
ṇyaṁ tad bhavatu mātāpitaro ācāryopadhyāyānāṁ ca sarva-sattvānuttara-jñāna-vāptaye
Translation:
"This meritorious offering (deyadharma) belongs to the Śākya monk named Yashadinna. Whatever merit arises from this offering, may it be dedicated to my mother and father, to my teachers and preceptors, and to all sentient beings for the attainment of unsurpassed wisdom (anuttara-jñāna)."
Interpretation:
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The donor and creator of this sacred Buddha image is Venerable Yashadinna (Sanskrit: यशदिन्न, Pāli: Yasadinna), a monk of the Śākya lineage.
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His dedication of merit aligns with the Mahāyāna spirit—offering not only for his family and teachers but also for all living beings, with the wish for them to attain unexcelled enlightenment.
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The wording follows the traditional format found in both Pāli and Sanskrit, where “mother and father” (mātāpitaro) always places the mother first, showing reverence and cultural norm (not a typographical error).
Historical Context:
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While the specific sect to which Yashadinna belonged is not mentioned, inscriptions found throughout Mathurā from the same era refer to several Buddhist schools, including:
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Dharmaguptaka
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Mahīśāsaka
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Sarvāstivāda
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Caitika (Jetiyavāda)
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Cunningham dated the statue to around 900 BE (approximately 43 CE).
As of 2568 BE (2025 CE), this means the statue is now over 1,500 years old.
Final Reflection:
The image still shines with dignity and grace, a testament to the enduring devotion of its creator. Though Venerable Yashadinna may be long gone, his act of faith, carved into stone, lives on across centuries.
“Though the body perishes, the merit and artistry endure. With reverence, we bow to the venerable teacher.”