Gau box with Buddha Shakyamuni
  See it in the Museum
Chapel
Orientation 3
Display 6

ABS 241

 Code: ABS 241

  Country: Tibet

  Style: Burmese style in Tibet

  Date: Unknown

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 6.4 x 9.3 x 3.5

  Materials: Wood

Buddha Shakyamuni’s Gau

gau is a travel container for a sacred object, in this case for a statue of Buddha Shakyamuni.

The Buddha is seated in the diamond attitude (vajraparyankasana). 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).