Buddhas; China, Qing Dynasty, 17th-18th century.
In iron.
Size: 23 x 12 cm.
Sculpture with the representation of a Buddha performing three of his main and most characteristic mudras.
One of the representations is the position of the hands and the posture of the figure indicates that it is the representation of Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life. This is the long-lived aspect of the Buddha Amitabha. Amitayus is depicted with singular refinement in this gilded bronze sculpture. Seated in the lotus position, with his hands clasped around his lap and palms upwards, he adopts a mudra, or gesture.
Another depiction refers to an episode in his life, when he was meditating by a fig tree and was punished by a storm of heavy wind and rain. At this moment, a compassionate Naga coiled seven times around him and spread its seven heads over him, like a roof (the Nagas belong to the mythologies of Hindustan. They are snakes, but often assume human form). The Buddha converted him to his faith.
Lastly, the Buddha Abhaya can be depicted either standing or seated, although it is more common to see it in the standing Buddha figure. The Buddha Abhaya is depicted with the right hand raised and palm outwards, the left hand remains beside the body. This position symbolises courage and focuses on the stage after the Buddha attained enlightenment.
The Abhaya Mudra, as mentioned above, represents courage and brings with it tranquillity, safety and security.
Buddha reached the ultimate evolutionary perfection, turning suffering into happiness for all living beings. Born around 560 BC, his father was a raja who ruled the north-eastern province of India. At the age of 29, the young prince gave up his life of luxury, as he felt compelled to purify his body and turn it into an instrument of the mind by ridding it of earthly temptations.