Laos - Old Maravijaya Buddha in lacquered and gilded wood, Late 18th century - Early 19th century

Laos
XVIIIth - XIXth century
Buddha Maravijaya

Lacquered and gilded wood
37.8 x 12.2cm
Former American private collection

The Buddha is represented seated on a high base in the vajraparyanka position, the attitude of the diamond lotus or half lotus. He is in meditation, his left hand resting on his lap while his right hand touches the ground. The Buddha is dressed in the uttarasangha monastic robe leaving the chest and right shoulder uncovered. The disproportionately sized face is characterized by long, comma-shaped brow ridges meeting at the base of the nose. Half-closed almond eyes frame the latter which overlooks a mouth sketching a slight smile. The ears are long and have lobes distended by the weight of the jewels that the Buddha used to wear as a prince. The hair treated with small incisions is surmounted by the usnisa (cranial protuberance) accommodating a long rasmi (flamed ornament), symbolizing the spiritual radiance of the Awakened.

The scene represented here refers to a fundamental episode in the life of the Awakened: demonic forces have just tried to overthrow him because their king, Mara, claims his place under the bodhi tree. As these forces proclaim the power of their master, Mara demands that the Buddha produce a witness to his spiritual awakening. The Buddha just touches the ground with his right hand, and the Earth immediately responds, "I am a witness." Defeated, Mara and her minions disappear. The morning star appears in the sky. This instant of illumination is the founding experience of the entire Buddhist tradition.

Dimensions :
- Height : 37.8 cm
- Width : 12.2 cm