Image title: Shakyamuni Buddha (Tibet, 16th century)

This Copper sculpture shows an image of Shakyamuni Buddha, from the 16th/17th century origination from Tibet.—Materials used: Copper alloy, gilt.

Notes:The pendant right hand touching the ground is a typical hand pose of Shakyamuni Buddha. It is named “Calling the Earth to Witness” (bhumisparsha mudra). With such a gesture he asked earth to witness his uninterrupted meditation despite the efforts of the evil Mara to hinder him.

Gallery information:

The Patan Museum is located on the Durbar square of Patan (Lalitpur/Lalitapura, Kathmandu, Nepal) which is associated Keshav Narayan Chowk (Keshavnarayan)—a form of Lord Vishnu. Being listed as a World Heritage Site, the whole of Durbar square is filled with exquisite temples, sculptures and other ancient structures, of which the ancient history history can be traced to the Malla Kings of Lalitpur. It is an important site for both Buddhism and Hinduism.