In Buddhism, Buddha’s life events and his journey to Enlightenment have become a venerated element, exalted through literature and artistic traditions. In this large handmade camphor tree wood stele from Nepal, Buddha’s life and the notable Great Events from his life have been carved, bringing to you a marvelous visual retelling of the Enlightened One’s Life.
In the shape of ancient stone slabs that have similar carvings from the Buddha’s life, this Nepalese camphor wood statue has awesome detailing done all over to create a fitting space for the heavenly life of the Buddha. Known as “Ashta-Maha-Pratharya” these events from Tathagata’s life marked eight auspicious spots in the human realm, which became centers of pilgrimage after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha. In the center of his life story, the Buddha sits in the “Bhumisparsha” mudra or “earth-touching” gesture, with a magnificent Chhepu (Nepalese variant of Hindu “Kiritimukha” or face of glory) carved in his aureole, supported by two mythical dragon-like creatures for pillars. Under this image, encased in a square frame is Buddha as “Mara-Vijaya”, a recalling of his victory over the forces of the demon of basal desires Mara. The vicious army of the demon appears to ferociously attack the Buddha, who is calmly sitting under the Bodhi tree, a picture of Supreme Wisdom.
Starting from the left, the gaze encounters a sleeping queen Maya, the mother of Siddhartha-Gautama, and the legendary white elephant in her dream who announced the arrival of the Buddha. In the next section, we find Maya Devi standing in the grooves of Lumbini, holding the branch of a Sal tree while the baby Siddhartha walks seven steps while being showered with flowers by Indra. In the third frame, an emaciated figure of the Buddha can be seen, symbolizing the austerities performed by him on his path to true wisdom. Above this, Buddha with his hands in the “Dhammachakra-Pravartana” mudra, the gesture of turning the wheel of Dhamma, signifying the first sermon at Sarnath is carved. On the right half of this Nepalese camphor wood stele of Buddha’s life story, he is sitting in a meditative posture with his alms bowl in his hand. Below this, a human form offering the Buddha something is discernible- probably Sujata, a lady who gave the Buddha some rice and milk when he was engrossed in meditation.
Under this, Buddha with two animals- an elephant and a monkey, one on each side of the Buddha is seen. This depiction in this camphor wood Buddha’s life story stele is the representation of a monkey’s offering of honey to the Buddha at Vaishali. The elephant in this frame protected the Buddha and arranged water for him. In the lower right section of this wooden stele from Nepal, the scene of Buddha’s descent from the Trayastrimsha heaven is engraved with followers holding a parasol over his head and Indra showering flowers. At the top of this stele is the image of the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana, where he is surrounded by followers mourning his departure in the grooves of Kushinagar. Mythical animals adorn the scene which is topped by a mystical Stupa carved in the middle of clouds. Detailed carvings of mythical creatures- dragons, snakes, and Chhepu fill the entirety of this wood Buddha’s life story stele.
The stunning camphor wood life of the Buddha statue is carved with a compact base, embellished with gargoyles and Buddhist auspicious symbols. Imbued with the aroma of camphor and the glorious life of the Buddha, this stele is the artistic and spiritual experience that your space and you need to have.
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