Antique Carved Jambupati Buddha, Burma/Myanmar (3257VKHO)

Description

In traditional Theravada Buddhist practice, Shakyamuni Buddha was depicted in simple robes of a monk representing his renunciation of worldly goods and desires. In contrast in Burma/ Myanmar, Buddhas were depicted with lavish royal attire known as the Jambupati Buddha. According to legends, King Jambupati wished to be the most powerful ruler in the world and threatened to take over the realm of Shakyamuni’s follower King Bimbisara. The Buddha appealed to Jambupati to forsake his evil ways and when he refused, he used his spiritual powers to turn himself into a radiant “King of Kings” with an extended ushnisha above his crown. Overwhelmed by the Buddha’s magnificence and spiritual-and inspirational presence Jambupati renounced his throne and attained Enlightenment as Shakyamuni’s disciple, demonstrating that even a monarch must defer to the Buddha, the King of Kings. Shakyamuni here sits in Earth Witnessing (bhumisparsha) mudra in the traditional lotus position of meditation (padmasana) with the left hand in his lap (dhyana-mudra) while his right hand with elongated even-lengthened fingers reaches over his knee to touch the earth in gesture that calls the demon-king Mara, who sought to deny him his awakening, to witness the moment of his enlightenment. He sits on a decorated high multi-tiered waisted throne considered a sign of reverence and respect dressed in lavish Burmese court attire with jewels and gloves and wears a round faceted crown surrounded by  huge decorative flanges. He looks directly at onlookers with confidence and a sweet smile to emphasize his spiritual and material power. He sits atop a decorative extremely high multi-tiered waisted throne considered a sign of respect.  The statue is delicately carved and painted with red and gold pigments covered in a thin lacquer coating. It is in excellent condition with the original gilding that covers most of its surface extant.  Although there are many modern Burmese-carvings of the Jambupati Buddha, authentic antique carvings extremely rare. This statue is part of the VA Collections of Buddhist-Art and Burmese-Art.