Gandavyūha Story – Samantabhadra Discourse
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva delivering a sermon
At the center of this bas-relief is Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, one of the eight Mahasattvas (great bodhisattvas) of the Mahāyāna Buddhism. Seated majestically on a throne, he is engaged in a discourse with his disciples seated to his left and right.
This beautifully carved bas-relief is on the balustrade wall of the third Rūpadhātu terrace. It is part of the Gandavyūha story panels that cover the walls of the top three terraces of the Rūpadhātu layer depicting scenes from Gandavyūha Sūtra, a Buddhist text describing the story about a boy named Sudhana meeting people from all walks of life and bodhisattvas in his quest for wisdom and enlightenment. Bodhisattva Samantabhadra is the last teacher Sudhana meets before he attains enlightenment.
Check the Borobudur Layers page for an explanation of all the layers of Borobudur.
Located about 30 miles northwest of Yogyakarta in the island of Java, Borobudur is the largest and one of the most fascinating Buddhist monuments in the world. It was built between 778 and 850 CE by the rulers of the Shylendra dynasty, who were the followers of Mahāyāna Buddhism. According to an inscription, it was founded by King Samaratungga of this dynasty.
Gandavyūha Images
– Sudhana learning from a teacher
– Sudhana Meets Maitreya, the Future Buddha
– Bodhisattva Samantabhadra
Related Pages
– Borobudur, Prambanan, Prambanan Bas-Reliefs, Bali, Indonesia
– Angkor Wat, Angkor Wat Bas-Reliefs, Banteay Srei, Cambodia
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