With the rise and spread of Mahayanism in north-west India, the image of the Buddha was introduced into Buddhist art. So far, he had been represented symbolically by the wheel (Dharma chakra) and other symbols.

Carved out of a single block of soft wood is the bust of Sakyamuni Gautama, the most widely represented Mortal Buddha. Here is shown with his eyes closed, an aqualine nose and a smile conveying internal content. The artist has carved a perfectly oval face, arched eyebrows and heavy lids. The inward development of the Buddha is reflected in the development of certain outward marks (lakshanas). Buddha actually has thirty-two superior and eighty inferior auspicious outward marks indicative of his spiritual attainment. The most important of the thirty-two superior marks in the full sized 'usnisa' (the protuberance of the skull), which becomes the receptacle for the divine manas (mind). Here the artist, in his enthusiasm to depict it in accordance with description in the texts makes it look like a pyramid. The other signs visible here are the urna (a small, round protuberance above the bride of the nose) depicted as a dot. Prominently sculpted are the long lobed ears, completing the perfect picture of the peaceful Buddha.

This description by Renu Rana

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Of Related Interest:

Buddha Head (Grey Stone Sculpture)

Four Headed Buddha (Green Stone Sculpture)