Seated Buddha

Origin: Thailand
Date: 17th to early 18th century
Medium: Bronze
Ackland Fund
63.28.1

Buddhists in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries focus on the model life and teachings of the historical Buddha, who lived in Nepal in the sixth century B. C. E.

Artistic representations of the Buddha vary widely from one culture to another. This bronze shows the slim-bodied Buddha, a traditional type developed in Thailand, seated in meditation. The position of the hands, mudra, recalls the story of Siddhartha Gautama’s moment of enlightenment, in which he touched the earth and received signs that he was indeed worthy of attaining full understanding. After this event, he became known as the Buddha, or the “awakened one,” and began to share his insights with others.

The Buddha sought to free all beings from the suffering inherent in the cycle of death and rebirth. He modeled the Middle Way between the extremes of asceticism and sensuality, and encouraged his followers to practice meditation as a means to achieve inner peace.

This representation shows the Buddha’s meditative calmness through the relaxed, yet erect posture and downcast eyes. The long ear lobes refer to the princely wealth that Siddhartha was born into and renounced as he began his spiritual quest. Other physical marks of the Buddha seen here include a bump on top of the figure’s head indicating extraordinary intelligence and a flame that symbolizes the eternal nature of the Buddha’s teachings.