Page 55 - Bonhams Presencer Buddhist Art Collection Oct. 2 2018
P. 55
138
A LARGE COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF MAHAKATYAYANA Shakyamuni’s original disciples represent Theravada’s perfected ideal
THAILAND, 19TH CENTURY of the arhat. Mahakatyayana, here, is renown for his ability to elaborate
Himalayan Art Resources item no.61649 on the Shakyamuni’s terse instructions. His fat appearance is almost
58.5 cm (23 in.) high certainly co-opted from Chinese images of Budai. However, according
to Thai folklore, Mahakatyayana (Thai: Sangkajai) was extremely sought
HK$160,000 - 240,000 after for his looks, so he transformed himself into a fat monk to avoid
distraction from the arhat path. Greatly revered in Thailand, a similar,
monumental sculpture of Mahakatyayana is built in Wat Bang Nam
泰國 十九世紀 迦旃延銅坐像 Phueng Nok, in Samut Prakan province.
Theravada Buddhism maintains there are a finite number of buddhas Provenance
possible for our current age, with Shakyamuni being the penultimate. Morris Bennett, London, 1980
The spiritual goal for ordinary beings is to perfect Shakyamuni’s
teachings over many lifetimes, which will result in becoming an arhat,
an enlightened being who will finally transcend rebirth (parinirvana).
THE PRESENCER COLLECTION OF BUDDHIST ART | 53
