"Believe nothing, O monks, merely because you have been told it... or because it is traditional, or because you yourselves have imagined it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings -- that doctrine believes and cling to, and take it as your guide."
Enlightenment of the Buddha- the transformation of prince Siddhartha into Gautama Buddha is a cosmic event in the Buddhist tradition. Beginning from his Three Great Sights, the inward spiritual journey of the Buddha ended with Enlightenment while the journey of Buddhism as a sect began from that moment onward. Various aesthetically designed statues of the Buddha are used by his followers as visual narrations of his enlightened state which is depicted through the 32 markers of Great Men or Mahapurusha on his body, gleaming and perfected physical features, half-opened eyes to show a state of meditative calm, monastic drapes, and a platform of blooming lotus which is a symbol of Enlightened mind. Although, all the statues of the Buddha speak of his enlightenment and wisdom, including the symbols such as a lotus and wheel (Dhamma chakra), three statues of the Buddha are more strongly related to his journey to the absolute heights of consciousness.
In Buddhism, the form of Buddha associated with enlightenment is Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Shakyamuni Buddha. Shakyamuni Buddha is considered the historical Buddha who attained enlightenment and taught the path to liberation from suffering to his disciples. It is believed that he achieved enlightenment after years of meditation and spiritual practice under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India.
His teachings, known as the Dharma, form the basis of Buddhism and are aimed at helping individuals achieve enlightenment and end the cycle of rebirth. Dharma is a key concept in Buddhism and forms the basis of the religion. The word "dharma" refers to the teachings of the Buddha, as well as the natural laws and principles that govern the universe.
The above mentioned quote by Shakyamuni Buddha emphasizes the importance of using critical thinking and personal examination to discern truth rather than blindly accepting ideas based on tradition or authority. He urges his followers not to believe something simply because they were told to, or because it is a commonly held belief or tradition. Instead, he encourages them to examine and analyze teachings and beliefs, and only accept those that are beneficial for all beings and lead to the greater good.
The Buddha's teachings emphasize the importance of individual responsibility and self-discovery in the path towards enlightenment. By questioning and examining beliefs, one can gain a deeper understanding of reality and develop a clearer sense of what is truly beneficial for oneself and others. Ultimately, the Buddha teaches that the path to enlightenment requires a willingness to challenge one's assumptions and beliefs, and to seek truth through direct personal experience and introspection.
According to Buddhist tradition, Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment after years of spiritual practice and meditation. Here is a chronological account of the Buddha's journey towards enlightenment:
Early Life : Siddhartha Gautama was born in the 6th century BCE in Lumbini, Nepal. He was raised in a wealthy family and was sheltered from the suffering and hardships of the outside world. However, at the age of 29, he began to question the meaning of life and sought answers beyond the confines of his palace.
Renunciation : Siddhartha left his palace and renounced his privileged life in search of spiritual enlightenment. He became an ascetic and joined a group of wandering mendicants, who practiced extreme self-mortification in the belief that it would lead to spiritual liberation. Dharma provides a framework for ethical behavior in Buddhism. The Five Precepts, which are guidelines for moral conduct, are part of the Buddha's dharma. They include refraining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxication.
Meditation : After practicing extreme self-mortification for six years, Siddhartha became disillusioned with this approach and turned to meditation as a means of achieving enlightenment. He sat under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, and vowed to meditate until he attained enlightenment.
The Four Noble Truths : During his meditation, Siddhartha came to understand the Four Noble Truths, which form the foundation of Buddhist philosophy. These truths are: the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering.
The Middle Way : Siddhartha also came to understand the importance of the Middle Way, a path between the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification. He realized that true enlightenment could not be achieved through either extreme, but rather through a balanced and moderate approach to life.
The Three Watches of the Night : On the night of the full moon in May, after 49 days of meditation, Siddhartha achieved enlightenment. This experience is described in the "Three Watches of the Night," during which he gained insight into the nature of reality, the workings of karma and rebirth, and the path to liberation from suffering.
The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path: After attaining enlightenment, Siddhartha became known as the Buddha, or "enlightened one." He spent the rest of his life teaching others about the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, a set of ethical and practical guidelines for achieving enlightenment.
These Buddha statues are:
Out of these three, the statue of Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra represents moments before the Buddha reached the enlightened state when the meditating Buddha was challenged by Mara and his army, whom he defeated with a gentle touch of the earth, which is why it is taken as the sculptural summarizing of the moment when everything changed, within and outside Buddha. Let us take a closer look at these three mesmerizing statues of the Enlightened One, their artistic qualities, and their spiritual meanings.
31" Superfine Buddha in Dhyana Mudra| Madhuchista Vidhana (Lost-Wax) | Panchaloha Bronze from Swamimalai
The statue of Buddha in meditation or Dhyana mudra is a simple and equally mesmerizing presentation of Buddha’s personality. The ascetic attitude of the Buddha is highlighted by the single piece of monastic robe wrapped around him, the stability embodied in his form, and his meditative eyes. The half-closed or half-opened eyes underline the state of balance achievable in meditation, where a person is present in the world and yet aloof from it. The curled hair of the Buddha, his cranial bump, the tuft of hair between his eyebrows, perfect features, and drooping earlobes remind us of Buddha’s royal roots (when he used to wear heavy jeweled earrings) which he severed to gain spiritual awakening. Sitting on a bloomed lotus which represents enlightenment in Buddhism, Buddha becomes enlightened incarnate in a Meditating Buddha statue.
22" Bhumisparsha Buddha Seated on Pedestal in Brass | Handmade | Made in India
The earth in Indian religion is mother, she is omnipresent and the eternal witness to everything. When the meditating Buddha was inches away from Enlightenment, he was attacked by the forces of Mara (literally death), a demon in Buddhism who is symbolic of worldly desires, of links that keep us tied to our basal nature.
When force and allure of beauty did not work on the meditating Buddha, Mara posed to him the question- “What makes you worthy of this throne, this Vajrasana (Diamond Throne), which was graced by Enlightened Beings before you?” At that moment, the Buddha did not utter an expression. He just touched the earth softly and Mara was answered by goddess Earth herself, who stood witness to Buddha’s journey to Enlightenment.
Mara’s neck drooped with defeat and Buddha’s wisdom roared, without him saying a word. Due to this glorious victory of the Buddha over Mara, statues of Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra are also known as “Buddha Mara-Vijaya”- Buddha who emerged triumphant over Mara.
With one hand in his lap in the gesture of meditation and the other reaching down to touch the earth, Buddha in Earth Touching gesture is a reminder to his followers that enlightenment comes only from giving up the worldly pleasures that lead only to pain. It is only by defeating the armies of Mara around us- anger, lust, jealousy that we can reach Buddha who awaits the moment of awakening, within us.
67" Dharmachakra Pravartana buddha | Handmade | Brass Statue | Made In India
Buddha with his hands in the Dhammachakra Pravartan mudra (gesture of turning the wheel of Dhamma) or simply Vitarka mudra (gesture of teaching) is how statues show the preaching of Dhamma by the Enlightened One. Buddha’s first sermon given at Sarnath commenced the tradition of Buddhism, which grew from five students to numerous followers across the globe.
Buddha sits on a lotus seat, or with his legs crossed in Padmasana (lotus posture) associated with meditation and enlightenment, and emanates a divine serenity while he distributes pearls of wisdom. As a form related to the immediate aftermath of attainment of “Bodhi” or pure wisdom, Buddha preaching Dhamma is a magnificent form associated with the Enlightenment of the Universal Master.
Buddha’s quest for the true meaning of human life and the questions that arose from seeing sickness, death, and asceticism were answered when he attained Enlightenment. With his transformation from Siddhartha to Buddha, the world received the gem of the Middle Path or Madhyama Marga, which showed people how to achieve their highest selves without any extreme trials.
The lotus of Buddha’s consciousness blossomed with the episode of his Enlightenment, whose fragrance continues to enchant and guide seekers of true knowledge. It is to remember, celebrate, and with conscious efforts, relive Buddha’s enlightenment in our lives, that these statues of Buddha are needed. As a blissful and profound reminder of the prince who became the source of supreme wisdom for millions, artistic representations of Buddha’s enlightenment are perfect additions to your space. Browse Exotic India Art’s handpicked collection of handmade Buddha statues in pure brass, bronze, marble, and wood, and find your favorite icon of the iconic enlightened being.
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