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ARCHITECTURE & ICONOGRAPHY

 

 

 

  bhumisparsa mudra

 

Thailand

Bronze Buddha image in a bhumisparsa position, the most common mudra in Thai-Buddhist iconography, meaning ‘touching the earth’. It symbolises the episode from Buddha's legendary life story when he was tempted by Mara whilst meditating under a fig tree (fig.) in Bodh Gaya.  He then pledged not to leave the spot until he attained Enlightenment. By touching the earth he called upon her to be a witness to his merits accumulated during previous lives. The image, cast in Sukhothai-style, is seated in a virasana asana.

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