This brilliantly painted black thangka portrays the Buddha Shakyamuni, who is seated in vajraparyankasana on a moon disk on a lotus against a brilliant aureole; each side of the base of the throne depicts a snow lion. The aureole of the Buddha is surrounded with the figures of dragons and topping them is Garuda which indicates that he has perfected the six paramitas (Transcendences). The right hand of the Buddha is in bhumisparsha-mudra, while the left hand, held in meditation position, holds a pindapatra which perhaps contains medicinal leaves. The bhumisparsha-mudra of the Buddha symbolizes his victory over Mara and his enlightenment at Bodhgaya. It is believed that mere sight of this mudra of the Buddha guarantees the believer that it will ward off all evil. The Pindapatra was the attribute of all Theravada Buddhist monks who pass by houses in the morning to beg for food. The monks are to accept food that is given them, including meat. Around noon, all the monks eat the food together as the only meal of the day. This practice still occurs in countries like Burma and Thailand where Theravada Buddhism is prominent. The pindapatra is standard attribute of Shakyamuni, Amitabha and Bhaishajyaguru or medicine Buddha.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 15:48:38 +0000
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