There have been countless Buddhas, but Shakyamuni (also Sakyamuni) is the only historical Buddha who lived on earth, was the primary source of its doctrines, and spread the teaching of Buddhism (the dharma). He was born Siddhartha Gautama 560 BCE in a miraculous birth to Queen Maya and King Suddhodanna the rulers of Kapilavastu and spent 29 years living in a palace as a prince. Realizing that material wealth was not the ultimate goal in life, he ventured outside the palace and became an ascetic mendicant monk trying to find enlightenment through complete deprivation of worldly goods. Realizing that a life of deprivation was futile, he followed a different course, the Middle Way, a path of moderation between self-indulgence and extreme asceticism. He then sat in meditation under Bodhi tree in Bodhi Gaya and vowed to not rise until he had found the Truth. At age 35 after resisting temptations of the demon Mara and his armies, Siddhartha reached his right hand to touch the earth, and the earth spoke: “I bear you witness!” Mara disappeared and as the morning star rose Siddhartha Gautama realized enlightenment and became Shakyamuni Buddha, meaning “the sage of the Shakyas,” and spent the next 45 years living as a monk teaching the Dharma throughout India and formed the world’s first Monastic Order known as the Sangha. Shakyamuni and did not wish his mages to be produced and worshipped, so early portrayals were aniconic – represented using symbols. Early images appeared around the 2nd century CE.
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This extraordinary carving is Shakyamuni Buddha in the Earth Witnessing hand position called Bhumisparsha. It is one of the four major events in his life – his Birth, Enlightenment, First Sermon and Death – which are most often portrayed in Southeast Asian Theravada Buddhism. His right hand symbolically reaches to touch the earth to call…
This antique Lao Buddha stands in refined dignity displaying inner tranquility and strength, hands in abhaya mudra that connotes reassurance, divine protection, and dispelling fear and signifies Buddha’s spiritual power as he bestows protection from evil and ignorance and conveys “fear not” to devotees. As typical of Lao Buddhas he is covered in gilt visually reflecting his golden skin and a finial or radiance as a flame emerging from atop his head. His wet style Buddha robe that is smooth and graceful in its simplicity and adds elegance to the carving while showing his body underneath his clothing.
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.
This elegant Jambupati Buddha is seated in lavish gilt court attire in Earth Witnessing mudra, one hand in his lap and one reaching over to touch the earth. Dazzling gilt covers his body, elaborate crown with butterfly flanges and his kingly garment that is “bejeweled” with multi- colored cut glass inset pieces. His multi-tiered throne emphasizes his royal status. He looks directly at onlookers with confidence and a slight smile to emphasize his spiritual and material power.
This carved meditation Ming Shakyamuni Buddha radiates serenity with downcast eyes and slightly smiling mouth. Small Buddha carved images are rare as they were generally not used on home shrines, and many were lost during China’s modernization. As it is consecrated it may have been in a community shrine.
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…
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.
Although this rare Ming image is missing its arms, it is a powerful yet charming sculpture of the infant Buddha as humble and confident with a youthful torso.
Magnificent rare Ming Buddha covered with dark lacquer, indications of gold and red pigmentation. Seated in meditation on an elaborate lotus throne, this rare masterpiece would enhance any environment with its spiritual energy and beauty.
This rare Ming provincially carved infant Buddha holds a monk’s begging bowl as he points to the heavens and stands on a lion’s head, symbolizing the Shakya clan and the lion’s roar of Buddhism. Given its small size, it was probably on a home altar.
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.
This finely cast metalwork brass Shakyamuni Buddha reflects the conservative tradition of Nepalese sculpture which experienced few changes in proportion or decorative details over the past several hundred years. Originating stylistically from Gupta and later Pala Indian art, Nepalese artists created their unique style from the 6th-7th centuries that evolved to a distinctive physiognomy including…
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