Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Posture and dress of BUDDHA




The Buddha may be depicted in one of four postures:
Sitting: If seated, the Buddha may be shown in one of three different positions
In the "heroic posture" (vīrāsana), with the legs folded over each other
In the "adamantine posture" (vajrāsana), with the legs crossed so that the soles of both feet are turned up
In the position of a person sitting in a chair (pralambanāsana)
Standing: If standing, the Buddha may be shown either with his feet together, or with one foot forward
Walking
Reclining: The reclining posture may represent the Buddha resting or sleeping, but more usually represents the mahāparinabbāna: the Buddha's final state of enlightenment before his death

The Buddha is nearly always depicted wearing a monastic robe, of the type worn by Buddhist monks today. The robe may be shown as worn in the "covering mode" (draped over both shoulders) or in the "open mode" (leaving the right shoulder and breast uncovered). The robe is a representation of the Buddha's humility. (Gautama was originally a prince, who renounced the world to seek enlightenment, and his original robe was made from the shroud of a corpse.) The robe is sometimes shown as diaphanous, transparent or billowing mysteriously, suggesting the spiritual power emanating from the Buddha. Buddha images are often draped with real robes, which are renewed periodically, usually at major festivals. The Buddha may also be shown wearing royal attire, but this is uncommon.

No comments:

Post a Comment