India: Bronze and silver image of the bodhisattva Manjushri, Bengal, Pala Dynasty, 11th century

The Pala Empire, one of the major middle kingdoms of India, existed from 750-1174 CE. It was ruled by a Buddhist dynasty from Bengal in the eastern region of the Indian subcontinent, all the rulers bearing names ending with the suffix Pala. Manjushri is seated on his mount, a lion. His relaxed pose, with one leg hanging down, is called lalita-asana and is often found in images of bodhisattvas. On the water lily to the right of Manjushri’s head is his attribute - the book, a symbol of wisdom. Manjushri is making the gesture to set the wheel of doctrine in motion, the dharmacakra mudra.