117. The Buddha approaches his five former pupils

Then the five of the blessed company saw the Tathagata coming afar off and agreed when they saw him as follows: "Here comes the worthy monk Gautama, the lazy one, the glutton, spoiled by his indolence. Let no one go to meet him or rise when he comes or relieve him of his bowl and monk's frock, or give him food or drink or a footstool, but let we only put ready the remaining seats and all together say: "These seats are left, worthy Gautama, seat thyself if thou wilt". (407: 17; 408: 1).

We see here again how casually the sculptor treats the details, though the main point is clear; the Buddha is not holding a bowl, of which he could be relieved and there are no seats, where the five of the blessed company are. But the main thing is all right; the Buddha is coming from the right on a lotus cushion into the deerpark indicated by a gazelle couched at his foot, his left hand holds the tip of his garment, the right is in vitarka-mudra. A thick bed of rushes with birds flying above it separates him from that part of the wood where the five are seated on the rocky ground, all dressed in the costume of ascetics or hermits, as we saw them last (on No.77), heir brushed up high end twisted into a loop, beard, necklace and loincloth. They are talking together; the one nearest to the right is turning to look at the approaching Buddha, but according to their agreement none of them give any sign of salutation.