Infant Buddha

Buddha Shakyamuni was born Prince Siddhartha Gautama in 560 BCE in Lumbini Park in the Himalayan foothills, the son of king Śuddhodana Gautama of the Shakya clan and Queen Maya. According to Buddhist scriptures both his conception and birth were miraculous. During a full moon Queen Maya dreamed that a white elephant entered her womb through the right side of her chest, and she became pregnant. On the way to her father’s kingdom she gave birth in a standing position grasping a sala tree in Lumbini Park. He emerged from Maya’s side fully formed. He took seven steps and at each step, a lotus appeared. At the seventh stride, he stopped and with a noble voice proclaimed he was the king of the world, and after him there will be no more coming to be. In most Mahayana depictions of the miraculous birth, the Buddha is depicted as a standing infant with one hand pointing to heavens and the other down to earth to symbolize his supremacy over all aspects of the universe. He immediately walked in multiple directions, and with each step lotus plants grew, and at the seventh stride, he stopped and with a noble voice proclaimed:

“The chief am I in all the world.
Eldest am I in the world.
Foremost am I in the world.
This is the last birth.
There is now no more coming to be.”

The auspicious birthday took place with a full moon now celebrated as Vesak – the festival of the triple event of Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death. In Theravada Buddhism on Vesak images are washed by Buddhist priests during a special ceremony.

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  • Sale! Antique Buddha as an Infant on a Lion, China #19405DRK

    Antique Buddha as an Infant on a Lion, China #19405DRK

    Original price was: $850.00.Current price is: $495.00.
    H: 9″  W: 3.625″  D: 3.5″ | FREE UPS SHIPPING!

    This rare carving of the infant Buddha with well defined features is clearly a provincial rendering that uniquely departs from traditional renderings. He holds a monk’s begging bowl as he points to the heavens and he stands on a lion’s head, as he is the lion of the Shakya clan. Given its small size, it was probably displayed on a home altar.

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  • Sale! Antique Lacquered Wood Infant Buddha at Birth. China 3198CSK

    Antique Lacquered Wood Infant Buddha at Birth. China 3198CSK

    Original price was: $985.00.Current price is: $650.00.
    H: 17.5 W: 6” D: 5” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION Call  213-568-3030 or email [email protected]

    Given that this image of the infant Buddha is missing both arms it is remarkable that it is remains a powerful yet charming sculpture. Created by a skilled rural artisan from one dense piece of wood, this rare statue of the the young Buddha is a humble child in a relaxed and confident stance with a youthful torso, a round head, bent legs, wearing a modest waist-cloth and standing on a small plain round base.

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  • Sale! Rare Antique Infant Buddha , China #16488BKE

    Rare Antique Infant Buddha , China #16488BKE

    Original price was: $650.00.Current price is: $550.00.
    H: 17” W: 5” D: 5” | For Shipping CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030 or email [email protected]

    This rare Ming/Qing wood Buddha as an infant is remarkable because of the way it has survived:  although the arms, legs and torso have deteriorated, it is virtually untouched from the neck up.  With its smooth but irregular surface, this  piece for lovers of wood, which probably more striking than the original piece, as its erosion shows the random miracle of chance. Highlighted on a frosted acrylic base.

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