Enlightenment

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

Showing 1–12 of 17 results

  • Antique Attendant with Marriage Inscription, China (16260ZOK) $485

    $485.00
    H: 7.5”  W: 3”  D: 2.75” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This precious finely-carved diminutive figurine is an enlightened Buddhist attendant who stands on a double lotus base used only for enlightened beings as part of an array of images to bless the family for a special occasion – the marriage of a son or daughter as indicated by the inscription on the back. With hands in reverence her eyes glance down down modestly with dellight for the figure she attends and the joyous occasion .  The skillful modeling of the image and the detailed inscription make this a very special piece.

     

  • Antique Bronze Miniature Stupa/Pagoda, Nepal (3207LME) $425

    $425.00
    H: 3.25” Dia: 2.25″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    This 18th-century antique hand-made bronze 7-level stupa/pagoda was made in Nepal and was purchased in the 1970s in Kathmandu. This fine example has decorative details around the base and two of the round eaves have scalloped edges. It was used for personal devotion on a home altar or shrine. Antique Buddhist items are now extremely scarce in Nepal.

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

    $2,250.00
    H: 26”  W: 10”  D: 5” | CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING QUOTE

    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.

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  • Antique Garden Stool with Framed Panels, China (16779ZLSE) $1400

    $1,400.00
    H: 18.25”  W: 12”  D: 11.25” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This stunning antique garden stool has parallel ridges surrounding its body and is a fine and rare piece. Hand thrown with a thick high-fired stable body, it has six framed panels with historic and symbolic images against a white background focusing on the finely made and intricate designs surrounded by rich cobalt blue. Most garden stools were made in a drum or barrel shape, far fewer were hexagonal and fewer still had auspicious objects and poems framed within the panels. This fine piece was created for the garden of a rich family, as cobalt was highly prized and expensive used in sparing amounts unless bound for an an important client. This unique piece has not only outstanding rendered panels, but the objects represented there were included to provide a flow of blessings, good wishes, energy and good fortune to those using it.

     

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  • Antique Large Wood Buddha in Teaching (Vitarka) Mudra, China (17013BREM) $6800

    $6,800.00
    H: 30″  W: 18″  D: 10″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This superb, colorful and rare carved Buddha is seated in the teaching vitarka-mudra. His delicately carved serene face has a benevolent and compassionate expression with half-closed almond shaped eyes and a brightly painted bud shaped mouth with a slight smile. The slender and elegant body appears to float above gracefully flowing robes in deeply carved swirls reminiscent of clouds.  The white skin tones are emphasized by the multi-colored robe with hues of cinnabar, cobalt blue, pastel green, and black. The fine features of the face, excellent rendering of the body, and exquisite execution of the drapery  make this a truly impressive and striking image. Given its size and masterful carving and its evident importance, it should hold a place and be revered commensurate with its spirituality and artistry.

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  • Antique Massive Lacquered Guanyin in Vitarka, China (5689SEME) $9,975

    $9,975.00
    H: 42”  W: 25”  D: 27.5” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This powerful, exquisite and rare almost life-size Guanyin seated in teaching mudra to spread the dharma, radiates serene spiritual energy. To optimally enjoy this statue, she should be placed in an elevated position as it was modeled to be viewed from below. Magnificently carved and covered with lacquer, this statue will fill any environment with meditative tranquility.  Authentic Buddhist carved images of this size, beauty, quality, and shape are very difficult to find, especially after China’s modernization.

     

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  • Antique Nanhai Guanyin of the Southern Seas with Vial and Parrot, China (16059XCKE) $1195

    $1,195.00
    H: 17.25”  W: 9”  D: 5” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This remarkable spiritual work combines characteristics of provincially rendered carvings with imperially sanctioned images of Nanhai Guanyin. She sits in meditation on a backless throne on a stylized rocky outcrop flanked by twisting vertical structures holding her vial and white parrot. Her half-closed eyes glance down serenely under painted arched eyebrows. She wears an arched crown over hair looped over her ears and down her shoulders and flowing gold robes bordered in red in contrast to the flesh tones of the face, chest, and hands. Much of the pigmentation and gilt on this artfully rendered image remains. Surviving depictions of her with the vial and the filial parrot in good condition are relatively rare.

     

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  • Antique Portable Monk’s Prayer/StudyTable, Tibetan (7020HOL) $595

    $595.00
    Ht: 13.875”  W: 26.25”  D: 13.125”  | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    One of a pair of antique low tables on 3 folding bamboo-shaped leg supports, this traveling prayer/study table was designed for Tibetan monks or nomadic families to lay out sutras (scriptures), scrolls, books and other study materials and by Tibetan devotees as a personal altar/prayer table. It is simply decorated with painted florals on vines and a fruit offering bowl symbolizing flowering of enlightenment and opening of the heart.

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  • Antique Rare Large Lohan with Hands in Reverence, China (16436A-WHKE) $7300

    $7,300.00
    H: 28.25  W: 12.75”  D: 9.75” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This exceptional, beautifully crafted rare 17-18th century Ming/Qing large Lohan is from the same Buddhist site as the foreign-born heavy bearded Lohan (Bodhidharma), and the same artist may have carved both. Although a Buddhist image, as a lohan he is portrayed as a real person with very individual, distinctive, and un-idealized features.  His benevolent youthful face sweetly smiling face with downcast eyes is an image of compassion, wisdom and peace.

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  • Antique Repoussé Earth Witnessing Buddha, Tibetan (0001LEM) $595

    $595.00
    H: 5.5”  W: 4.625”  D: 2” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This wonderful gilt metal antique Tibetan repoussé image portrays Buddha in earth witnessing mudra (hand touching position) under a trefoil arch at the moment of his enlightenment. Mounted on an L-shaped wood stand, it is in excellent condition. This 17th century Tibetan work was decommissioned and subsequently purchasedfrom the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

  • Antique Silver Toned Bodhisattva in Meditation, China (16082XSKE) $3375

    $3,375.00
    H: 17.5″  W: 10.25″   D: 8.75″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This exquisite 18th-century statue is a Bodhisattva, probably Guanyin  seated in meditation hands gently resting in her lap and feet in padmasana.  She is exquisitely portrayed as a beautiful young woman with downcast eyes in an aura of serenity and compassion, a humble, unpretentious yet elegant being with smooth, gentle flowing lines that creates an air of peaceful spirituality. Every strand of her hair and bun is carved with definition, and in perfect order. The original polychrome and lacquer finish has transformed into a glowing silver hue with a soft patina.

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  • Antique Wood and Lacquer Hooded Monk (Lohan), China (16098BSK) $595

    $675.00
    H: 13.25”  W: 7.5”  D: 6.25” | FREE SHIPPING

    This finely carved Lohan carved to be viewed on all sides sits in meditation his serene expression of inward concentration enhanced with his downcast eyes. He wears a hooded robe with a traditional shoulder ring and a cowl at the neck and wide sleeves that drapes to the base.  His highly decorated robes with gilt highlights are unusual, as Lohans generally wear unadorned monastic robes. This image is more youthful rather than a traditional  elderly monk.

     

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