The Bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, 11th century

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The Bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, Thakuri period, 11th century, Nepal (Kathmandu Valley), Copper alloy with gilding and color, H. 26 in. (66 cm); W. 8 1/4 in. ( cm), Sculpture, Maitreya, the messianic bodhisattva characterized as the Buddha of the Future, stands in a graciously exaggerated posture, the body beautifully counterbalanced. He holds his raised hand in the gesture of exposition (vitarka mudra) and in his lowered hand displays a flask (kamandalu) universally understood in South Asian culture as the container of amrta, the elixir of life

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Size: 4020px × 5359px
Photo credit: © Artokoloro / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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