As a node along the silk route, Kashmir was a vital region for the transmission of the Buddha’s pleated heavy robes from the Gandharan region of Pakistan and Afghanistan to central Asia and the Western Himalayas. The Buddha represented here holds his hands in a teaching gesture, (dharmachakra mudra), and may possibly be identified as the historical Buddha Shakyamuni (traditionally dated to 563–483 BCE). However, the pose of the figure, whose feet are pendant in the so-called European posture and rest on lotuses (pralamba padasana), rather than being crossed in meditation (dhyana asana), is closely identified with the future Buddha, Maitreya. The image has the cranial protuberance (ushnisha) emblematic of his omniscience and the circular forehead marking (urna) indicating his enlightenment. He sits on a lion throne associated with royal imagery that emphasizes his spiritual sovereignty. The kneeling female with her hands held in the gesture of devotion (anjali mudra) is likely the pious donor of the sculpture.

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