47.
Continuation of the contests (no text)
Here we have one of the very rare instances where the text followed by the sculptor differs from that of the Lalitavistara. We can only state that the scene must belong to the contests, for we find on No 49 the archery tournament, and that in any case the wrestling-match
is not depicted, though separately described in the text and not unknown in sculpture so that its omission on Barabudur is the more noticeable.
On this relief we see the Cakya's on the left in a group under a roof in a sort of pendapa, while in front of it one of them stands making a sembah to the Bodhisattva. On the right are the king and his suite; the king is now sitting alone on his high throne and has a halo; two female servants with fly-whisks stand next to him, some attendants are kneeling near. In the centre of the relief the Bodhisattva stands on what looks like a cushion; two followers, one with an umbrella, stand behind. He holds with his right hand the. stem of a large knob-shaped lotus, which grows out of a decorative plants). This part of the relief is very much worra-off so that the figure we think is the Bodhisattva seems to have no halo, and we can't be quite sure about him, though he looks so likely, in the middle of the picture, taking an active part in the proceedings, in contrast to the figure looking on from his right-hand throne.