Buddha seated in dharmachakramudra

Title
Buddha seated in dharmachakramudra
Year/Period
3rd/4th century
Region
Gandhara
Material
Dimension
Object Size: 78.5 x 46.5 x 15.0 cm
Accession No.
2015-00472
Credit Line
Gift of the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple

The Buddha is teaching as denoted by his hand gesture. The elaborate gesture signifies the turning of the wheel of Buddhist law. He sits on a decorative throne with two small donor figures standing in an attitude of adoration. A halo behind his head denotes his spirituality. It was originally painted and still has remnants of pigment.The sculpture shows the influence from western classical styles in the drapery, the strong, muscular form, and the facial features, but also has the deep spirituality of the Buddhist religion. He sits in a yogic pose, his eyes downcast in contemplation.