#buddhist art
Luang Prabang, Laos. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is home to well-preserved Buddhist temples, including the oldest still-open temple in Laos. It was once the capital of the Kingdom of Luang Prabang. It had been a city even before being conquered by Luang Prabang in 698 CE; it is so old no one knows when it was founded or how except for by legends and myths. The kingdom fell, but the city survived, even thrived. Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos.
Photos are courtesy of Alfred Melon
Post link
Bodhisattva Amoghapāśa
Great statue of Bodhisattva Amoghapāśa in the likeness of King Ādityavarman – proclaimed in the inscription on the back of the statue.
Singhasari Era, Sumatra, circa 1349 CE
National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta
Post link
Buddha - Bhūmisparśa Mudrā
The Buddha in the gesture of touching the Earth, calling her as witness to defeat the forces of Mārāis probably the most popular image of the Buddha in Thai religious art. This set of Buddha icons in the Bhūmisparśa Mudrā made out of semi-precious stones set in gilded brass base thrones inlayed with semi-precious stones is a dazzling specimen of the most recent Royal Era of Thai history, the Rattankosin Era that began in the late Eighteenth Century after the destruction of Ayutthaya by the invading Burmese in 1747 CE.
These were made in the Royal workshops of Bangkok in the early 19th Century.
The National Museum, Bangkok
Post link
Dorje Shugden
Dorje Shugden is an important protective deity of the Geluk sect in Tibetan Buddhism and is of recent origin. He is the spirit of Geluk monk Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen (1619-1665).
The story goes that after beating the Dali Lama in debate he was murdered. Afterwards Tibet suffered famine and earthquakes and the Dali Lama was tormented. Experts attempted to exorcise him and failed. He was appeased by being appropriated and went on to serve a a chief protector of the Geluk sect.
The Dali Lama’s renunciation of Dorje Shugden in 1976 caused great discord in the Geluk community. His strong opposition became even more pronounced in 1996 when he made strong public statements against the practice. Many members of the Geluk sect denounced the dali Lama for stepping on their religious freedoms. Tibetans in India have had their houses searched, statues destroyed as well as being dispelled from their jobs and monasteries. They were labelled a cult and received attention from the west and were written about as such in magazines such as the guardian. They are also denied admission to hospitals, stores, and other social services provided by the local Tibetan community.
What sets the plight of Tibetian people apart from other people with similar problems is that Tibet is seen as a peaceful people devoted to the practice of Buddhism (which according to the Dali Lama who “speaks” for tibet, is a rational, scientific region whose practices are dropped if not found compatible which Western scientific discourse), whose remote and ecological enlightened land is ruled by a god-king, was invaded by the forces of evil (the Chinese not the British before).
Shangri-La?
Post link
Eleven-Headed Guanyin, late 600s,Cleveland Museum of Art: Chinese Art
Guanyin, the bodhisattva of infinite compassion, can be identified by his attributes, carrying a tiny Amida Buddha in his crown, and holding a bottle with the nectar of life in his left hand. The eleven-headed Guanyin, in particular, has his eyes and ears open in all directions to hear, see, and help all those who are in distress. The garment and jewelry of this graceful figure remind us that the historic Buddha Shakyamuni was originally an Indian prince before he reached enlightenment. Upon his death, he entered nirvana, an eternal state free of desire and suffering, outside the realm of birth, death, and rebirth.
The dating and attribution of the figure as being from China needs further study.
Size: height: 62.9 cm (24 ¾ in.)
Medium: wood
Post link
The famous Buddha of Bodh Gaya situated in the Mahābodhi Temple.
10th-11th Century Seated Buddha
Pala Period
Black Chlorite
Cold Gilt is Modern as is the Nimbus.
Statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Khmer, late 10th-early 11th century AD [OS] [2978×3722]
Source:https://reddit.com/r/ArtefactPorn/comments/ezlrgn/statue_of_the_bodhisattva_avalokiteshvara_khmer/
11th Century Khmer Avalokiteshvara
“The Black Prince”
11th Century Baphuon Style
Copper Alloy with Silver Inlay
Post link
Never allow a solitary sense to govern your judgement.
Khmer Buddha Head
11th Century, Baphuon Style
Sandstone
Gilt copper statue of Tara, the Buddhist savior, inlaid with semiprecious stones, from Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, 14th c. [3024x4032] [OC]
Source:https://reddit.com/r/ArtefactPorn/comments/e9y7st/gilt_copper_statue_of_tara_the_buddhist_savior/
13th Century Newari standing Tara.
Gilt Bronze Alloy
Inlaid with Semi Precious Stones
Post link
Vajradhara Buddha - with consort (Himalayan Art)
Tibet 15th Century
Gilt Copper Alloy
Inlaid with Turquoise and Semi Precious Stones
Post link
The Buddha Crowned
Image of Gotama Buddha, Shakyamuni at the moment of enlightenment. He is shown in the robes of a monk, but crowned and bejewelled like a monarch, invoking his spiritual authority.
His right hand is stretched downwards touching the earth goddess, Prithvi, calling upon her as witness to vouch for his enlightenment. The bhumi sparsh mudra.
Black phylite, Pala Era, East India circa 1000 to 1100 CE.
V&A Museum
Post link
Hidden Treasure….
4th-5th Gandhara Head
Stucco
Noble_Mahabodhi_Temple_Bodhgaya-147 http://noblefoto.photoshelter.com/
A woman prays at the feet of a Buddha statue at the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment, the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya India
Pala Standing Buddha
10th Century
Phyllite
Post link
Newari Manjushri Namasangiti
14th Century
Gilt Copper Alloy
Inlaid with Semi Precious Stones
Nepali Standing Buddha
10th Century
Gilt Bronze Alloy
