Buddha Shakyamuni – The Historical Buddha
See it in the Museum
India and Nepal
Orientation 3
Display 2
ABS 161
Code: ABS 161
Country: Himalaya
Style: Spiti Region
Date: 1150 - 1250
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 3.7 x 7 x 1.5
Materials: Copper alloy
Shakyamuni
The historical Buddha Shakyamuni is seated in the diamond attitude (vajraparyankasana) on a lotus throne supported by a pair of lions. The upper monastic garment (uttarasanga) covers only the left shoulder and is draped without folds. He rests his left hand in his lap and extends the right hand in the gesture of touching the earth (bhumisparsha-mudra). With this gesture, the Buddha Shakyamuni “takes the earth as a witness” of his victory over his inner demons of doubt, the mara just before he reached enlightenment. This depiction of the historical Buddha therefore reminds us also of the place of his awakening. Bodhgaya in northern India subsequently became the destination of Buddhist pilgrimages to the "eight holy places" (astamahasthana).
The patina is a testimony to the fact that this statue has accompanied people very closely for a long time, and that it has been touched and venerated.
The historical Buddha Shakyamuni is seated in the diamond attitude (vajraparyankasana) on a lotus throne supported by a pair of lions. The upper monastic garment (uttarasanga) covers only the left shoulder and is draped without folds. He rests his left hand in his lap and extends the right hand in the gesture of touching the earth (bhumisparsha-mudra). With this gesture, the Buddha Shakyamuni “takes the earth as a witness” of his victory over his inner demons of doubt, the mara just before he reached enlightenment. This depiction of the historical Buddha therefore reminds us also of the place of his awakening. Bodhgaya in northern India subsequently became the destination of Buddhist pilgrimages to the "eight holy places" (astamahasthana).
The patina is a testimony to the fact that this statue has accompanied people very closely for a long time, and that it has been touched and venerated.