Minneapolis Institute of Art

Shakyamuni Buddha Calling the Earth to Witness

Myanmar (Burma)

Date

18th century

Medium

Bronze

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This image of the historical buddha, Shakyamuni, makes a gesture known as bhumisparsha mudra, or “calling the earth to witness.” While meditating, the Buddha was bombarded by an army of demons sent by Mara, the personification of desire, death and delusion, but overcame these distractions to achieve enlightenment. Mara tried to claim the Buddha’s enlightenment as his own, but the Buddha reached out his right hand to touch the ground, calling upon the earth itself to bear witness to his achievement. Depictions of this moment are particularly common in Southeast Asia, including Myanmar. Myanmar (Burma)

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