Page 17 - Christie's, materpieces of Buddhist Art December 2, 2015 HK
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Shakyamuni, the Historical Buddha in which fingers form a circle with the thumb, the particular
Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light fingers touching the thumb indicate the level of paradise on
Bhais. ajyaguru-vaiduryaprabharaja, the Medicine Buddha which Amitabha is preaching (or, in other instances, the level of
Vairochana, also called Mahavairochana, the Supreme paradise on which he is meditating).
Buddha
According to traditional iconographic conventions, the lapis-
Additional Buddhas associated with mandalas appear in the colored medicine jar that the Medicine Buddha holds in his
arts of the Tantric tradition. left hand contains nectar from the myrobalan fruit (lot 2913).
Extended over his right knee, his right hand has the palm
The various Buddhas are distinguished either by an attribute outward, forms the varada-mudra, and typically holds a single
they hold—the Medicine Buddha holds a small medicine jar, for myrobalan fruit between thumb and index finger.
example—or by the mudra in which their hands are arranged.
A ritual hand gesture, a mudra symbolizes a particular action, Vairochana, the Supreme Buddha, typically appears seated in
power, or attitude. The most frequently encountered mudras, all a yogic posture with legs crossed, his hands held before his
of which are associated with Shakyamuni, are the following: chest in the jnanamusti-mudra, also called the bodhyagr-mudra,
in which the right hand grasps the extended index finger of the
Dhyana-mudra = Meditation left hand, a gesture symbolizing concealed knowledge.
The Buddha is shown seated, his hands in his lap, the
right hand atop the left “Bodhisattva” means “Enlightened Being”. A bodhisattva is a
benevolent being who has attained enlightenment but who has
Bhumisparsha-mudra = Enlightenment postponed entry into nirvana in order to assist other sentient
The Buddha is shown seated, his left hand in his lap beings in gaining enlightenment (lots 2905, 2906, 2908,
palm up, his right hand extended over his right knee 2909). Once all sentient beings have achieved enlightenment,
in order to touch the earth to call it to witness his they—and all bodhisattvas—will become Buddhas. Bodhisattvas
enlightenment (lot 2903) are presented in the guise of an Indian prince of old, a reference
to Siddhārtha Gautama’s worldly status before he became the
Dharmachakra-mudra = Preaching the First Sermon Buddha Shakyamuni. Generally depicted with a single head,
The Buddha may be shown seated or standing, his two arms, and two legs (lot 2905), bodhisattvas in fact may be
hands before his chest as if turning a wheel shown with multiple heads and limbs (lots 2906, 2908, 2909).
Richly attired, bodhisattvas are represented with long hair often
Abhaya-mudra = Do not fear = Preaching arranged in a tall coiffure, or bun, atop the head and with long
The Buddha may be shown seated or standing, his right strands cascading over the shoulders. A crown sometimes
hand (occasionally the left) is raised, palm outward, as if surrounds the high coiffure (lots 2908, 2909), which must not
in blessing (lots 2901, 2902, 2911) be mistaken for an ushnisha. Bodhisattvas wear ornamental
scarves, dhotis of rich silk brocade, and a wealth of jewelry
Varada-mudra = Boon, or gift, giving that includes necklaces, armlets, bracelets, and anklets. Like
The Buddha may be shown seated or standing, his left Buddhas, bodhisattvas are shown with distended earlobes, but,
hand (occasionally the right) is lowered, palm outward unlike the Buddhas, they wear earrings. They may be barefoot or
(lots 2901, 2902, 2911) wearing sandals. Though not positioned in prescribed mudras,
bodhisattvas’ hands often appear in the anjali-mudra, a gesture
Like Shakyamuni, the Buddha Amitabha (lot 2912) typically indicating veneration in which the hands are clasped before the
has his hands arranged in the meditation mudra or in the chest, palms touching, as if in prayer (lot 2906).
abhaya and varada-mudras, indicating that he is preaching.
In the case of Amitabha’s mudras, however, the hands are Bodhisattvas may be presented individually, but they often
positioned so that one finger of each hand touches the thumb, are associated with particular Buddhas. Thus, Bodhisattvas
forming a circle, thereby distinguishing Amitabha from the Manjushri and Samantabhadra typically flank the Buddha
otherwise similarly presented Shakyamuni. In those mudras
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