Sculpture From Shotorak. Shotorak, Kapisa Province.

1981
Monasteries elsewhere also responded to King Kanishka's efforts to revive Buddhism in the 2nd century CE. At Shotorak, 4 kilometers from his capital at Begram, some 7-8 ruined stupas mark the location of the Shotorak monastery on a bluff overlooking the Panjshir River on its south bank. Shotorak was at its peak during the 3rd century CE, but Hsuen-Tsang reported 300 monks still in residence in 630. Viewers will recognize this motif of a gently smiling yakshi (nature spirit) leaning against a tree blossoming at her touch. A symbol of fertility on the Indian ivories, she was now assimilated into the Buddhist iconography, although more demurely swathed in a diaphanous sari.
Photo: Louis Dupree from Auboyer The Art of Afghanistan, 1968

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Filename: 81-1014.jpg
Copyright: acku Afghanistan
Image Size: 2028x5749 / 2.5MB; 1981 Afghanistan Kapisa Shotorak Sculpture Monasteries King Kanishka Buddhism Stupas Hsuen-Tsang Yakshi Nature Spirit Sari Louis Dupree Auboyer Slide LD 1981 02093
Contained in galleries: NATIONAL MUSEUM II: CE (Common Era)

1981<br />
Monasteries elsewhere also responded to King Kanishka's efforts to revive Buddhism in the 2nd century CE. At Shotorak, 4 kilometers from his capital at Begram, some 7-8 ruined stupas mark the location of the Shotorak monastery on a bluff overlooking the Panjshir River on its south bank. Shotorak was at its peak during the 3rd century CE, but Hsuen-Tsang reported 300 monks still in residence in 630. Viewers will recognize this motif of a gently smiling yakshi (nature spirit) leaning against a tree blossoming at her touch. A symbol of fertility on the Indian ivories, she was now assimilated into the Buddhist iconography, although more demurely swathed in a diaphanous sari. <br />
Photo: Louis Dupree from Auboyer The Art of Afghanistan, 1968