Buddhist Antiques, Asian and Indian Artifacts, Terracotta Buddha

Shakyamuni Buddha Stands in a Graceful Pose

Late 20th Century Terracotta Buddha from Thailand.

In this depiction, Shakyamuni Buddha stands in a graceful pose, his left hand held in the abhaya mudra of fearlessness, and his right hand pointing to the earth, indicating the Earth Goddess’s witness to his enlightenment. He is surrounded by a myriad of symbols, some of which depict the story of his enlightenment, while others symbolize aspects of the enlightened mind and its attributes. The gilt lotus at the base of the statue depicts the essential nature and clarity of enlightened mind rising out of the mud of maya, or illusion. The aureole of flames represents the light of wisdom emanating from the Buddha at the time of his enlightenment.