In 1958 CE (B.E. 2501), Indian archaeologists excavated an ancient mound in Jajpur District, Orissa (now officially renamed Odisha). They uncovered the remains of a vast Buddhist site, where over 30 stupas of varying sizes were found. The largest stupa, situated atop a mound (see image), measures 4 meters high and 21 meters in diameter, and was constructed from red bricks.
Due to the sheer number of artifacts found at the site, a museum was established to house them. Among the notable discoveries was a sculpted image of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, the Mahāyāna deity of compassion. The sculpture, carved from a distinctive type of sandstone native to Odisha, was found lying on its back. On its left side, an inscription was discovered, written in Sanskrit, in characters from around B.E. 1300 (approx. 757 CE). The inscription comprises three lines and reads:
देय धर्मो
यं भिक्षु शु-
भगुप्तस्य
Transliteration:
deya dharmo
yaṁ bhikṣu śu-
bhaguptasya
Translation:
“This pious offering (meritorious gift) belongs to the monk Subhagupta.”
Without this inscription, we would not have known who commissioned this sacred sculpture. Homage to the venerable teacher!
This inscription confirms that Venerable Subhagupta was the donor who created the image. While the specific sect or monastic affiliation of the monk is not documented, it is certain that he belonged to the Mahāyāna Buddhist tradition, as the worship and construction of Avalokiteśvara images are characteristic of Mahāyāna beliefs.
The Avalokiteśvara sculpture is currently on display at the Udayagiri Museum, located in Jajpur District.
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