Circa 15th Century AD to 16th Century AD
Dimensions 40″ high (100 cm) x 30″ wide (77 cm)
Medium Wood
Origin China
The historical figure, Buddha Gautama Sakyamuni is the Buddha of compassion
who, having achieved the highest evolutionary perfection, turns suffering into
happiness for all living beings. Born around 560 B.C. somewhere between the
hills of south Nepal and the Rapti river, his father was a Raja who ruled over
the northeastern province of India, the district including the holy Ganges
River. The young prince was married to Yashoda when he was about 17 years old
and together they had a son named Rahula. At the age of 29, he left his life of
luxury, as he felt compelled to purify his body and make it an instrument of
the mind by ridding himself of earthly impulses and temptations. Here, the
Buddha is seated in the Vajraparyanka lotus posture (Padmasana) resting his
arms in the Bhumisparsa mudra, or “gesture of touching the earth.” A symbol of
unshakable faith and resolution, this mudra portrays the Buddha taking the
earth as his witness. He is dressed in flowing robes that cascade over the base
upon which he rests. The edges of his garment are adorned with inlaid mirror
panels, although much of this decoration has disappeared over time. His hair is
composed of tight coils, and he features a large ushnisa, the bump on the top
of his head symbolic of his infinite wisdom. The general appearance associated
with the Buddha characterizes him partly as a noble human being and ideal ruler
and partly as superhuman. The elegance and spirituality of the Buddha form is
well conceived in this Chinese representation.
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