This marble statue of Buddha demonstrates the
high degree of artistic refinement achieved
through the artistic expression of religious and
philosophical beliefs. In most Asian countries
this becomes a canonical form, which
distinguishes the Buddha from all other figures.
Cross-legged in yogic posture, the Buddha
touches the earth with the tips of his fingers,
palm faced downward and arm fully extended--a
symbolic gesture summoning the earth goddess
to witness his right to seat beneath the tree of
wisdom called the bhumisparsha mudra. It is
the moment of enlightenment, the attainment of
Buddhahood in which the transcendence is
achieved. The sensation of tranquility and
detachment experienced in this stage is evident
in the facial features which are further enhanced
by the smoothness and clarity of the medium.
The Buddha's robe covers the left shoulder in the
traditional monastic manner, is pleated at the
edges and fans out over the lotus base. The
separation of the hair from the face by a broad
band is a device of Khmer heads of the Angkor
period and yet at the same time the
accommodation of ethnic Burmese facial features
highlights the personal aspirations of laymen. All
the volumes of his body are perfectly
proportioned, symmetrical, smooth and fully
rounded: the shoulders are broad, and the hips
narrow; his arms reach down to the knees and
the lobes of his ears are distended. The general
appearance associated with the Buddha
characterizes him partly as a noble human being
and ideal ruler and partly as superhuman. The
elegance and spirituality of the Buddha form is
well conceived in this Burmese marble
representation.
- (H.558)
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