Ming/Qing Buddha as an Infant on a Lion, China (19405)

Description

Shakyamuni Buddha was born Prince Siddhartha Gautama in 560 BCE in Lumbini Park in the Himalayan foothills, son of king Śuddhodana Gautama of the Shakya clan and Queen Maya.  Buddhist scriptures state his conception and birth were miraculous. Immediately after his birth he pointed to the heavens above and with a finger pointing downward towards the earth. He walked in multiple directions, with each step lotus plants grew, and he proclaimed:

“The chief am I in all the world.
Eldest am I in the world.
Foremost am I in the world.
This is the last birth.
There is now no more coming to be.”

Antique small carved Images of Shakyamuni Buddha right after his miraculous birth are very rare since they were infrequently displayed on home altars, unlike images of Guanyin which appeared on almost all home and community altars.

This rural statue portrays him fully developed standing on infant legs firmly planted on the ground, one hand pointing to the heavens, the other down to earth symbolizing his supremacy over all aspects of the universe. Although an infant, his facial features reflect the adult Buddha with pendulous ears and with a wisp of hair to represent his infancy and associate him with youthful monks.

Created by a provincial artisan, the iconography departs from traditional Buddhist statues. While normally his left-hand is empty, here he holds a monk’s bowl reflecting the Buddhist tradition of feeding monks by placing food in a begging bowl. Rather than a or lotus base, he stands on a lion’s head, symbolizing that Shakyamuni is the lion of the Shakya clan. This iconography probably stems from depictions of two bodhisattvas (Manjushri and Guanyin) who are shown on the backs of a one of Buddhism’s mythical animals, a recumbent Buddhist lion that is associated with simhanada meaning “the Lion’s Roar” which is a Buddhist description of the intensity experienced at the moment of enlightenment. As king of all beasts, the lion’s roar is heard over long distances which reflects the wide and rapid spread of Buddhist ideas, the scriptural proclamation that he made immediately after his birth, and that he had no equal.

Although wood carvings of the infant Buddha are very rare because they were infrequently displayed in homes, this small image may have been placed on a home altar. It is well carved with defined facial features, garments, and the rendering of the lion. Most of the original white base and polychrome paint was removed but remnants show it was originally covered with of red, black and lacquer. It is in very good condition considering its age it has expected cracks and chips loss on the right hand. It is mounted on a acrylic stand to add stability and enhance its remarkable presence for a small carving.

Sources:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara of the Lion’s Roar, or Simhanada Avalokiteshvara (Shi Hou Guanyin)   

Roots.gov, Shi Hou Guanyin