Buddha Shakyamuni – The Historical Buddha
  See it in the Museum
Chapel
Orientation 2
Display 4

ABS 077

 Code: ABS 077

  Country: Tibet (central)

  Style:

  Date: 1300 - 1400

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 13.4 x 15.8 x 8.7

  Materials: Brass

Buddha Shakyamuni

Hollow cast in one piece. 
The eyes are inlaid with silver, and the lips and nails of hands and feet with copper.
The border of the monastic garment is decorated with beaded silver and copper inlays and engraved ornaments.
Inlay work of such fine quality is very rare.

Buddha Shakyamuni is seated in the diamond attitude (vajraparyankasana) on a double lotus pedestal withbeaded borders. 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 historical Buddha Shakyamuni “takes the earth as a witness” of his victory over his inner demons of doubt, the mara.

The upper monastic garment (uttarasanga) covers only the left shoulder and is draped without folds. 
This depiction of the historical Buddha reminds us also of the place of his awakening (enlightenment). Bodhgaya in northern India subsequently became the destination of Buddhist pilgrimages to the "eight holy places" (astamahasthana).