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Description: | Metal buddha rupa figure. Seated on a two-tier base in a meditative pose called Dhyanasana, with the legs crossed with the soles of both feet turned upwards and resting on opposite thighs.
Fingers and toes are long and uniform. Right hand touches the base as a symbol of Bhumisparsa mudra, or the ‘earth touching gesture’, is formed with all five fingers of the right hand extended to touch the ground. This gesture symbolizes the Buddha's enlightenment under the bodhi tree when he summoned the earth goddess, Sthavara, to bear witness to his attainment of enlightenment. The right hand, placed upon the right knee in earth-pressing mudra, and complemented by the left hand-which is held flat in the lap in the dhyana mudra of meditation, symbolizes the union of method and wisdom, samasara and nirvana, and also the realizations of the conventional and ultimate truths. It is in this posture that Shakyamuni overcame the obstructions of Mara while meditating on Truth. Left hand sits in the lap.
Hair is represented by incised dots and figure wears a finial. Earlobes are long and touch the shoulders. Burma
Accession number: NCM 1889-185 | Subjects: | metalwork religion (buddhism) BURMESE figures | Temporal: | 1800-1889? | Source: | Nottingham City Museums and Galleries | Identifier: | http://media.culturegrid.org.uk/mediaLib... | Go to resource |
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