The Buddha here sits on a lotus seat, in deep meditation, with his legs crossed in the adamantine (Vajraparyanka) pose, with the soles of the feet turned upwards. He wears a sparse monastic garment, leaving both shoulders bare. Like a true ascetic, there is no ornamentation on him.
The Buddha sits with his left hand on his lap, the palm facing upwards. The right hand touches the earth, calling it to witness his victory over Mara, the Evil One, who tried to wean Gautama away from the path of truth. This is the earth touching mudra.
The position of the body, the hand gestures, and the attributes are all symbolic in nature. In fact, the shapes of different parts of the body are prescribed in the sculptor's manual. He has an urna (a small, round protuberance above the bridge of the nose, the fourth of the thirty two superior marks of Buddha), the usnisa (cranial protuberance) and long-lobed ears, signifying that they were once hung with heavy earrings.
The smooth contours of the Buddha's body has graceful modulations and makes it beautiful piece of serenity, spreading out in the immediate milieu.
This sculpture was carved in Bodh Gaya, the important place of Buddhist pilgrimage. The sculptor Shri Rama Chandra Gaur has used Gambhar wood for sculpting this piece.
How to care for Wood Statues?
Wood is extensively used in sculpting especially in countries like China, Germany, and Japan. One feature that makes the wood extremely suitable for making statues and sculptures is that it is light and can take very fine detail. It is easier for artists to work with wood than with other materials such as metal or stone. Both hardwoods, as well as softwood, are used for making sculptures. Wood is mainly used for indoor sculptures because it is not as durable as stone. Changes in weather cause wooden sculptures to split or be attacked by insects or fungus. The principal woods for making sculptures and statues are cedar, pine, walnut, oak, and mahogany. The most common technique that sculptors use to make sculptures out of wood is carving with a chisel and a mallet. Since wooden statues are prone to damage, fire, and rot, they require proper care and maintenance.
It is extremely important to preserve and protect wooden sculptures with proper care. A little carelessness and negligence can lead to their decay, resulting in losing all their beauty and strength. Therefore, a regular clean-up of the sculptures is a must to prolong their age and to maintain their shine and luster.
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