2006.21 Buddha Sakyamuni | DMA Staging Content Management System

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Khmer rule (802-1431) extended into Thailand and remained dominant until the 13th century. The central Thai city of Lopburi, which gives its name to the period style of this large-scale Buddha, was both the political and artistic center of the region. The gesture, two hands raised with palms outward in ham samut (forbidding the ocean pose), was one that became popular in the 12th century. It probably refers to the Buddha’s display of supernatural powers by his holding back floodwaters when converting his disciple Kassapa. If this interpretation is correct, it might also explain why the Buddha is shown wearing extravagant jewels and a crown—part of his supernatural display— instead of his usual monk’s garb.

Adapted from

Nancy Tingley, "Standing Buddha," in Anne Bromberg, The Arts of India, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art; New Haven: Yale University Press, 2013), 236.

NOTES

Catalogue essays

Standing Buddha

The Arts of India, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas at the Dallas Museum of Art

The Influence of India in Southeast Asia: Thailand

Artist/designers

Cultures

Geography

Process/materials

The making of Buddha sculptures in Thailand

Historical periods

Individuals

Sakyamuni Buddha (The historical Buddha)

Subject terms

Buddhism

Buddhism in Southeast Asia

Mudras

RELATED OBJECTS

PROVENANCE

AUDIO ASSETS

Anne Bromberg, "The Buddha's Blessing: The New Buddhist sculpture at the DMA," Gallery Talk.

13309236: UMO

VIDEO ASSETS

IMAGE ASSETS

WEB RESOURCES

ARCHIVAL RESOURCES

FUN FACTS

TEACHING IDEAS

TI Buddha Sakyamuni

RULES

apply to objects where number equals 2006.21

General Description

Khmer rule (802-1431) extended into Thailand and remained dominant until the 13th century. The central Thai city of Lopburi, which gives its name to the period style of this large-scale Buddha, was both the political and artistic center of the region. The gesture, two hands raised with palms outward in ham samut (forbidding the ocean pose), was one that became popular in the 12th century. It probably refers to the Buddha’s display of supernatural powers by his holding back floodwaters when converting his disciple Kassapa. If this interpretation is correct, it might also explain why the Buddha is shown wearing extravagant jewels and a crown—part of his supernatural display— instead of his usual monk’s garb.