Stele with Eight Great Events from the Life of the Buddha 10th century India, Bihar, possibly from Nalanda Most significant is the central Buddha touching the earth at the moment of his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya, indicated by the branches above his head. Surrounding him are scenes of his life, each one associated with a north Indian pilgrimage center. From lower left, the Buddha is miraculously born out of Mayas side as she grasps a branch of a sala tree in the Lumbini gardens. Next is the Buddhas first sermon at Sarnath, and above that the Buddha is subduing the rampaging elephant Nalagiri. In the lowest register at right, a monkey offers honey to the Buddha, which ultimately led to his rebirth as a human, allowing him to reach enlightenment. Next the Buddha is performing miracles, though he is shown simply as a teaching Buddha, and above that the Buddhas descent from Trayastrimsas heaven has been simplified to a standing Buddha. At the very top is the Buddhas