The Earth Witnessing mudra (Sanskrit: bhumisparsa mudra (触地印 / 觸地印) is a common position for the Buddha, especially in Theravada Buddhism. The historical Buddha Gautama used this gesture just before reaching enlightenment to call on Mara, the demonic king, to witness his spiritual awakening and liberation and the merit he accrued throughout his many lifetimes from the cycle of rebirth after rejecting Mara’s temptations and seductive visions to prevent him reaching his goal. Buddha in the Earth-Witnessing gesture is seated and places the left hand open in the lap in meditation and reaches over his right knee with his elegantly elongated right arm and even length fingers to touch the earth. He then achieved Buddhahood, reached enlightenment, ignorance was dispelled, wisdom arose and he attained Nirvana. Representing unwavering belief, this mudra symbolizes the triumph of the spirit over matter and its liberation from worldly trappings and the defeat of temptation and evil intention. (Source map academy https://mapacademy.io/article/bhumisparsha-mudra/)
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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…
Throughout Burma/Myanmar Shakyamuni Buddha was depicted in lavish royal robes to illustrate the traditional story of King Jambupati and the Buddha. In traditional Theravada Buddhism, Buddha Statues are depicted in simple monks-robes as he renounced worldly goods and desires and rejected his princely heritage. Legend states the haughty King wished to be the world’s most…
This Tibetan Repoussé image presents various symbols of the Enlightenment of the Shakyamuni-Buddha. He sits within a trefoil arch on a lotus base (padmapitha) under the bodhi tree in bhumisparsha mudra (earth witnessing or hand touching position) symbolizing the moment of his enlightenment legs bent in (padmasana). The detailed trefoil arch surrounding the Buddha’s head…
A Buddha-statue or painting is called in Sanskrit Buddharupa meaning “the form of an Enlightened One.” This one from Burma/Myanmar portrays the historical Shakyamuni-Buddha sitting in bhumisparsha (Sanskrit for the Earth Touching mudra) which shows his inner strength at the moment of his enlightenment and is one of the most common poses used for Burmese…
A wood or metalwork Buddha statue or painting is called a Buddharupa, in Sanskrit meaning “the form of an Enlightened One.” Made in Thailand, this Buddha exhibits traditional characteristics of Theravada Buddhist statues and is rendered in Lopburi style which was predominant in the central, east and northeast Thailand during the seventh to thirteenth century…
This mid 20th century Buddha Shakyamuni in Earth Witnessing position is carved in rural Lao style. Covered with gilt, the small rustic and simply carved image follows Lao artistic canons for depicting a Buddha: a curved hairline and high arched eyebrows that meet at the bridge of the nose, distinct hair curls, long ears, and a flame-shaped radiance emerging from his ushnisha. Its very large base is as tall and wide as the image, reflecting Laotian beliefs that a high pedestal reflects a deep respect for the Buddha. A base has been added for display purposes. Authentic old Lao images, even small personal ones like this, are difficult to find.
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