The moment of inception of the Buddha, when the prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment under the pipal tree is symbolized by the bhumisparsha mudra which literally means “earth touching,” and is also called “earth witness.” It is to be an appeal to the earth goddess to witness the Buddha’s ascendance to the state of enlightenment. For Buddhist devotees Buddhism is a continual search on the path to enlightenment. As explained by Matthieu Ricard, in Buddhism “enlightenment is a state of perfect knowledge or wisdom, combined with infinite compassion… an understanding of both the relative mode of existence (the way in which things appear to us) and the ultimate mode of existence (the true nature of these same appearances). This includes our own minds as well as the external world. Such knowledge is the basic antidote to ignorance and suffering.”
Matthieu Riccard, What does Buddhism mean by “Enlightenment”? matthiericardblogpost.org, Dec 7, 2010
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This sweet diminutive antique-Chinese-wood-carving of an enlightened Buddhist attendant on a double lotus base that was commissioned by the proud father to celebrate and bless a marriage as indicated by the inscription on the rear 陈门李氏双全 that indicates that it belonged to the Lee family. Although its meaning is not entirely clear, it appears to…
A stupa is a memorial shrine and a sacred burial mound to house sacred relics associated with the Buddha or other Buddhist saintly persons, a symbol of the Buddha’s enlightenment and a model of the Buddhist cosmos (McArthur, p. 179). Initially they were hemispherical mound-like shapes and were transformed in East Asia into a pagoda…
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…
This stoneware glazed garden stool was used by a wealthy family reflected in its complex designs, auspicious symbols and its use of so much cobalt blue, a highly prized and expensive mineral paint color normally used sparingly. The pierced side to side circles running through the inside from side to side and the pierced design…
Early Chinese Mahayana images portrayed Lohans as followers of the Buddha, living in the human world in human forms .Through their spirituality and asceticism they achieved enlightenment and were no longer subject to rebirths but choose to not enter nirvana and remain as guardians to preserve Buddhist teachings, protect the Buddhist faith and lead others…
Monks traveling from village to village use colorful folding wooden study/prayer table called Chogtse. They fold, carry and use them to travel and display sutras, scrolls, books and other study materials to teach villagers Tibetan (aka Vajrayana, Esoteric, Tantric) Buddhism ethics, principles and history. Made for easy portability and storage dowel, the wood bamboo shaped…
Lohans are the only enlightened Buddhist beings that were allowed to be portrayed realistically rather than as idealized representations. This beautifully crafted antique and very rare large image looks like a portrait of a real person with very individual, distinctive, and un-idealized features. His eyebrows curve above a wide triangular nose with well pronounced cheekbones,…
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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