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…
Hand-made metal Nepalese 7-level stupa/pagoda with decorative details around the base and round eaves with scalloped edges used for personal worship.
This rare, elegant, gilt covered Jambupati Buddha wears regal Burmese court attire with luxuriant jewelry and huge decorative flanges surrounding his multi-layered elaborate faceted crown topped by an elongated ushnisha. Seated on a high ornate multi-tiered waisted throne in Earth Witnessing position, he looks directly at onlookers with strength and a sweet smile to emphasize his spiritual and material power.
Provincial Lohan meditating wearing monks robes associated with Lohans – hood, shoulder ring and cowl crossed at the neck but atypically decorated with raised curvilinear lacquer designs highlighted with gilt.
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…
Finely modeled vintage Mandalay style Burmese bronze Buddha in Earth Witnessing mudra made by lost wax process is a one-of-a-kind exquisite work of art. Soft youthfully sweet smiling face with almond-shaped eyes are inlaid with glass.
The beautiful contemporary bronze Buddha is rendered in Thai Lopburi style in Earth Witnessing (bhumisparsha mudra) wearing a simple two-part Theravada Buddhist monk’s robe that shows his religious devotion. He sits on a highly decorative pierced throne on a three footed curved base. The composition is a double triangle: the three-footed throne itself is a horizontal triangle as it recedes backward in space, and the Buddha and the throne form a vertical triangle. The heavy statue is filled with a cement binder, and it is in excellent condition.
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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