Akshobhya Buddha, Buddha Summoning the Earth as Witness
Artist/Culture
Nalanda School
Artist/Culture
Bihar
Artist/Culture
Indian
Date1000s
Mediumblack sandstone stele
Dimensions58.5 x 36.5 x 3 cm (23 1/16 x 14 3/8 x 1 3/16 in.)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineAlexander H. Bullock Fund
Terms
Object number1985.250
DescriptionCarved in fairly high-relief, this crowned seated Buddha is shown in the earth-touching gesture, or bhumisparsa mudra, representing his summoning the earth to witness his moment of enlightenment. He is surrounded here by subsidiary images displaying gestures of mediation, generosity, and fearlessness as well as the important historical events of the historical Buddha Sakyamuni’s birth in the lower left, his first sermon in the upper right and left, and his final nirvana at the top where instead of dying he is released from the cycle of rebirth.Label TextCarved in high-relief, this crowned seated Buddha is shown in the earth-touching gesture. Buddha is summoning the earth to witness his defeat of desire right before the moment of his enlightenment. He is surrounded by subsidiary figures that display gestures of mediation, generosity, and fearlessness. Other figures illustrate important historical events in his life: his birth in the lower left, his first sermon in the upper right and left, and his final nirvana at the top. The portrayal of Buddha summoning the earth as witness was popular in Nalanda in east India and was transmitted to Southeast Asia, Nepal, and Tibet. An example of this same subject matter in Thailand can be seen in the sculpture Seated Buddha in Maravijaya (1998.190), also in this gallery.ProvenanceWilliam H. Wolff, Inc., New York, NY
On View
On view
