Buddha Shakyamuni – The Historical Buddha
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Orientation 2
Furniture 4

ABS 144

 Code: ABS 144

  Country: Tibet

  Style:

  Date: 1300 - 1400

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 31.8 x 37 x 21.1

  Materials: Gilt copper

Buddha Shakyamuni
 
This statue in the Birman style was cast in two parts
The face is painted with cold gold and the hair with a blue pigment. 
The base of the pedestal is sealed with a sheet of copper.

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).