Crowned Buddha Shakyamuni as World Sovereign
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India and Nepal
Orientation 3
Display 4

ABS 361

 Code: ABS 361

  Country: India (Kurkihar, Bihar)

  Style: Late Pala Style

  Date: 1000 - 1100

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 10.2 x 16.5 x 4.6

  Materials: Bronze, inset with rubies

Crowned Buddha Shakyamuni as World Sovereign

The crowned Buddha Shakyamuni is called Chakravartin, which literally means "he who rules by the wheel". The wheel, as one of the seven emblems of spiritual power, also serves as a vehicle to traverse the spatial expanse in an instant. The "turning of the wheel" stands for worldly and spiritual authority and the creation of new ethics and morals. In the sphere of Sambogakaya, the "body of bliss" of the Bodhisattvas is decorated with crowns and jewels, which express their supernatural and divine qualities. The panels of the crown are considered to symbolize the qualities of the five Tathagatas.

According to tradition, the crowned Buddha Shakyamuni transmitted and entrusted the Kalachakra teachings to the first king of the parallel mystical realm of Shambhala, until the ordinary world would be ready to receive these teachings.