Shakyamuni Buddha Calling the Earth to Witness, late 18th century, 45-3/4 x 25-3/4 x 16-1/2 in. ( x x cm), Dry lacquer with traces of gilt, Myanmar (Burma), 18th century, With his right hand touching the ground and his left hand held palm up in his lap, this figure shows the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, performing the 'calling the earth to witness' gesture (bhumisparsha-mudra). It is a depiction of the moment immediately after his enlightenment. While meditating, the Buddha was bombarded by an army of demons and other fiends sent by the demoness Mara.

---

Size: 2498px × 4382px
Location:
Photo credit: © Penta Springs / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 18th, achieved, achievement, army, bear, bhumisparsha-mudra, bombarded, buddha, burma, calling, century, claim, demon, demoness, demons, depiction, distractions, dry, earth, enlightenment, fiends, figure, gesture, gilt, ground, hand, held, historical, hoards, immediately, lacquer, lap, late, left, mara, meditating, moment, myanmar, overcame, palm, performing, reaching, shakyamuni, steadfast, touch, touching, traces, witness, witnesses