On The Edge Of Enlightenment, Buddha Wall-Hanging Mask

An all-encompassing wave has just subsided within the chitta (mind) of the Buddha. He has conquered his nature (prakrti) and attained to a state of pure being (purusha). On His mukhamandala is reflected the ensuing saumanasya (unconditional, invincible joy) as He teeters on the edge of Enlightenment. Any moment now His long fingers will make contact with the ground beneath His asana and call upon the same to witness the moment of transition.

However, in the sculpture that you see on this page, the focus of the composition lies elsewhere. The Buddha bust has an esoteric beauty all of its own. A tall pile of hair gathered in ringlets atop His great head; earlobes that have given way to the weight of the kundalas. The signature creases on His neck, indicative of the conch-like sweetness of His voice. A mouth that is gathered in harmony with the rest of His divine features.

And of those divine features, the most divine is the albatross brow of the erstwhile Shakyamuni. Smooth, gracious lines convey an inimitable composure. His large eyes are shut, indicative of the focus turned inward (characteristic of samadhi). A semblance of the third cakshurindriya (eye) is seen at the brumadhya (mid-brow). This work of art has the power to infuse calm and bliss into whoever sets eyes on it.