Seated in meditation, this image shows Shakyamuni touching the ground to summon the earth goddess to witness his lifetime of accumulated merit and his defeat of the forces of evil. This is the moment of his spiritual enlightenment; from his head emerges a bump associated with transcendent wisdom and topped, in this case, by a flame of truth and wisdom. His elongated earlobes and tight hair curls are vestiges of his worldly life, and among the 120 physical features used to describe the historical Buddha. The oval shape of his head is characteristic of Thai images.
- Dr. Bruce A. Coats, 2022

Base: 1 7/8 x 3/4 x 1/2 inches
Statue: 17 3/8 x 12 1/4 x 6 inches

Label on the side of the base: "99."

Cast bronze on a wooden base.

Bodhisattva seated on a simple pedestal in half lotus, which rests on a wooden base. The figure's left hand is on his lap, with palm up, and the right hand rests on his knee. He wears a coiffure of tight curls, extending over a flame-shaped usnisa in the center of the head. The Bodhisattva has stylized features, elongated hands and earlobes, and a sash over the left shoulder and across the chest. The eyes are closed in meditation.

Unknown.

This object has the following keywords:

• Buddhism
• Statuary and Metalwork

This object is a member of the following portfolios: