The Death of the Buddha (AD 100-200)

The Death of the Buddha, dating to AD 100-200, is displayed in the Victoria and Albert, London. It shows the moment of Siddhartha Gautama's death as he passes into mahaparinirvana, the final release from the cycle of rebirth. Behind his bed are local princes, with grief etched into their faces. A senior disciple with a staff, Mahakashyapa, stands at the foot of the bed. Immediately below the Buddha, Subhadra, a recent convert, sits meditating. Here is the death of a dying man, never to be seen or heard from again. Contrast this with the Lord Jesus who died, but came back to life; death could not hold Him, for He is the very Lord of Life, before whom Siddhartha Gautama shall give account.

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19