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
A 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).
A 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).