Buddha Shakyamuni and Scenes from the Life of the Buddha

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Buddha Shakyamuni and Scenes from the Life of the Buddha

Nepal, 12th century
Sculpture
Unalloyed copper with traces of gilding
10 1/2 x 9 1/4 x 2 3/4 in. (26.67 x 23.49 x 6.98 cm)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Phillips (M.82.165.6)
South and Southeast Asian Art
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

...
This representation of the Buddha Shakyamuni seated under the bodhi tree as he sought Enlightenment at Bodhgaya, Bihar is surrounded by a complex aureole of scrolling lotuses with miniature scenes from the life of the Buddha. A tour de force of casting complexity, the subsidiary vignettes portray the Eight Great Miracles and two additional scenes. Beginning below Shakyamuni’s left knee and proceeding counterclockwise, the events are his Birth; the Descent of the Buddha from Trayastrimsha Heaven at Sankisya after preaching to his mother in heaven; the First Sermon at Sarnath; the Monkey giving the Buddha an offering of honey; the Death of the Buddha surrounded by his disciples; the Buddha’s sermon to his mother; the Shravasti Miracles of multiple Buddhas; the Taming of the mad elephant Nalagiri; the emaciated Buddha meditating before his Enlightenment. The Enlightenment itself is represented by the primary Buddha calling for the earth to witness his accumulated merit by touching the ground with his right hand (bhumisparsha mudra). The upright thunderbolt (vajra) beneath the central Buddha signifies the Diamond Throne or thunderbolt seat (vajrasana) upon which the Buddha achieved Enlightenment at Bodhgaya.
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Bibliography

  • Johne, Isabell. Vasudhārā: A Study of the Origin, Development, and Diffusion of Artistic Representations of the Buddhist Goddess of Prosperity in their Cultural Contexts. Vol. 2, Catalogue. Translated by Rachel Marks-Ritzenhoff. Aachen: Shaker Verlag, 2014.
  • Johne, Isabell. Vasudhārā: A Study of the Origin, Development, and Diffusion of Artistic Representations of the Buddhist Goddess of Prosperity in their Cultural Contexts. Vol. 2, Catalogue. Translated by Rachel Marks-Ritzenhoff. Aachen: Shaker Verlag, 2014.
  • Johne, Isabell. Vasudhārā: A Study of the Origin, Development, and Diffusion of Artistic Representations of the Buddhist Goddess of Prosperity in their Cultural Contexts. Vol. 1, Text. Translated by Rachel Marks-Ritzenhoff. Aachen: Shaker Verlag, 2014.
  • Little, Stephen, Tushara Bindu Gude, Karina Romero Blanco, Silvia Seligson, Marco Antonio Karam. Las Huellas de Buda. Ciudad de México : Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, 2018.
  • Little, Stephen, and Tushara Bindu Gude. Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art across Asia. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2025.
  • Phil Freshman. Los Angeles County Museum of Art Report, July 1, 1981-June 30, 1983. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1984.
  • Pal, Pratapaditya; R. Brown; R. Fisher; G. Kuwayama; Amy G. Poster.  Light of Asia: Buddha Sakyamuni in Asian Art. ed. Dean, Lynne. Los Angeles:  Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1984.
  • Pal, Pratapaditya; Dehejia, Vidya; Slusser, Mary Shepherd; Fisher, Robert E.; Brown, Robert L. Arts of Asia 15 (6): 68-125 (November- December 1985).
  • Pal, Pratapaditya. Art of Nepal. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art; University of California Press, 1985.
  • Sivaramamurti, C. India, Ceylon, Nepal, Tibet. 2 vols. Torino, Italy: UTET, 1988.
  • Reedy, Chandra L.  Himalayan Bronzes:  Technology, Style and Choices.  Newark:  University of Delaware Press, 1997.
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