Buddha Shakyamuni
Date14th century
Maker
Tibetan
Label TextAfter trying many different paths to escape samsara (the cycle of suffering and rebirth), Gautama Shakyamuni sat under a tree to meditate at the site now known as Bodh Gaya. Coming to understand that a path of moderation would allow release from samsara, he emerges from deep meditation—his left hand remains in dhyana mudra. His right hand touches the ground to summon the earth goddess, Bhumi, to witness his bodhi (moment of awakening). Bhumishparsha mudra recalls the historic event in when he becomes the Buddha (the awakened one), but also represents Buddhist enlightenment in general.
Object number69.144
Photo CreditPhoto: Elizabeth Mann
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing.
Credit LineNasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection
Dimensions9 x 6 3/8 x 5 7/8 in. (22.86 x 16.19 x 14.92 cm)
MediumCopper alloy
Tibetan
late 14th to early 15th century
Object number: 70.2
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