Enshrined Buddha, c. 1850, 41 1/2 x 32 x 23 in. (105.41 x 81.28 x 58.42 cm), Wood, lacquer, gold leaf, mirrors and colored glass inlay, Myanmar (Burma), Mandalay Style, Seated in the bhumisparśamudra, or earth-touching gesture, this statue depicts the Buddha just before his enlightenment under the bodhi tree. The events leading up to this moment are often described as a powerful battle between good and evil, delusion and insight. Mara, the god of illusion, attacked the Buddha, challenging the young prince’s right to destroy him. In response, the Buddha reached his right hand down, calling the earth as witness to his good deeds over many lifetimes. In accounts from Southeast Asia, the goddess of the earth emerged and flooded the earth, destroying Mara and his armies.
Keywords:
Enshrined Buddha, 1850, Wood, lacquer, gold leaf, mirrors, colored glass inlay, Myanmar, Burma, Mandalay Style, Seated, bhumisparśamudra, earth-touching gesture, statue depicts, Buddha, enlightenment under, bodhi tree, events leading up, moment, described, powerful battle, good, evil, delusion, insight, Mara, god, illusion, attacked, Buddha, challenging, young prince's right, destroy, response, Buddha reached, right hand down, calling, earth, witness, good deeds, lifetimes, accounts, Southeast Asia, goddess, earth emerged, flooded, earth, destroying Mara, armies
Image ID:
The watermark in the image will not appear on the final download.