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 15 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 Massive Lacquered Guanyin in Vitarka, China (5689SEME) CALL FOR PRICE

    H: 42”  W: 25”  D: 27.5” | FOR PRICE AND 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 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)

    H: 28.25  W: 12.75”  D: 9.75” | FOR SHIPPING and pricing INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    Although a Buddhist image, as a lohan this carving 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.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. We recommend displaying them together.

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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 purchased from 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.

     

  • Antique/Vintage Bronze Earth Witnessing Buddha, Burma/Myanmar (3553BLEM) $2575

    $2,575.00
    H: 22”  W: 17”  D: 11” | CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING

    This finely and delicately modeled vintage Burmese bronze Buddha Shakyamuni in the Earth Witnessing mudra displays many characteristics typical of the Burmese Mandalay style. His soft youthfully sweet face with slightly smiling lips is framed by a filet headband, snail like hair locks, and almond-shaped eyes are inlaid with glass. Made in the 20th century with the lost wax process in which the mold is destroyed, this piece is a one-of-a-kind exquisite work of art in excellent condition.

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  • Earth Witnessing Bronze Buddha, Thailand (11246BKE) $395

    $395.00
    H: 21”  W: 15.5 ”  D: 9.5” | CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING

    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.

     

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