Buddhist Antiques, Asian and Indian Artifacts, Stone Monk

Burma Stone Carving From the 18th century

Buddhist Monk in Anjali Posture

Depicted here is a stone carving of a Buddhist monk with his hands joined in the classic Anjali pose, representing offering and devotion. Bringing the hands together and holding them vertically in front of the breast, with each palm and finger tips pressed against the other, the one who adopts this posture offers an expression of respect and even adoration of the supreme condition and state of the Buddha. Since the gesture is in homage to the mastery of the Buddha it is typically not show on the Buddha himself. In most Asian art the Anjali pose is seen being displayed by images of Boddhisatva and devotees.

This gesture is also a representation of the diamond world or vajradhatu and symbolizes the joining and union of opposites, two worlds existing simultaneously as one Reality, the passive and active, the absolute and the relative realms of existence.

Also utilized by the cultures of India and South-East Asia for salutation, it serves as a greeting of respect and even veneration if held high at the level of the face.