What is parinirvana? This video answers this question by looking at a stone relief that depicts a scene from the historical Buddha’s life. It once decorated a Buddhist stupa and comes from ancient Gandhara (modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan), dating to the 2nd century CE.

This video defines parinirvana and discusses why it is an important achievement in Shakyamuni Buddha’s life. It also explains how you can recognize a parinirvana scene in Buddhist art. 

Today, this relief is in the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C. 

This short video is part of a series that breaks down key terms in art history, archaeology, and history! 

CHAPTERS 

0:00 Introduction to a Buddhist stupa relief from ancient Gandhara depicting a parinirvana scene

01:04 What is parinirvana?

02:01 Parinirvana in Buddhist art