Last Existence: Distribution of the Relics

Relief showing the Distribution of the Relics. According to Buddhist texts, eight parties claim the Buddha’s relics with hostility. Eventually they submit to the arbitration of the brahmin Droṇa who equally distributes the Buddha’s holy remains. The base was plain. The scene was encased between two framed half/semi-column of the Gandharan-Corinthian type, of which only that on the left remains. The brahmin Droṇa is standing in the centre behind a table. He is holding the urn with the Buddha’s ashes in both hands. The relics are placed on the table, this latter featuring turned legs and a drape hanging on the front. Droṇa is flanked by two kings who are standing and turned towards him. They both hold a relic casket, possibly globular in shape and with a disk base.