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Buddha Shakyamuni

Spreading Dharma

Artefact Description

This is a U-Thong (12 CE to 15 CE) style sculpture of Buddha Shakyamuni, with His right hand in Abhaya gesture. The Abhaya (Fearlessness) mudra is indicated by raising His right hand, palm facing outward in front of His chest. The mudra further symbolises reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in many Buddhist regions.

 

U-Thong art-style is a fusion of different styles, such as Khmer or Lopburi, and Sukhothai styles, which sprouted in the southern capital of Ayutthaya in Thailand (formerly known as Siam). Hence, traces of other styles can be seen in detail as follows: The Buddha with traces of gold paint, is seated on a royal throne, marked by the flag cascading down the front of the throne.

 

On the four-tiered throne, a multitude of devotees or the Buddha's disciples can be seen in kneeling posture, with their palms together, listening to the Dharma Teachings with reverence.

 

A Dharma wheel flanked by two sitting deer can be seen on the back of the Buddha, symbolizing the First Sermon of Buddha (see The First Sermon) at Mrgadava, Sarnath, which is also known as "Deer Park". While the presence of this wheel on the back of the Buddha does not necessary depict the actual event of Buddha's first discourse in Sarnath, it is symbolic of the Buddha's Teachings to His disciples.

Historical Background

After Buddha Shakyamuni's First Sermon, He continued to give sermons for 49 years.2 p23, 7 c7

Growth of Dispensation

  1. First 60 Arahants and Mission1 p49, 7 c7, 8 c5, p59

    A millionaire son called Yasa was disgusted at the sight of female attendants and musicians asleep in repulsive attitudes, left home saying, "Distressed am I, oppressed am I" and went in the direction of Isipatana.

     

    He met the Buddha who told him "Here, there is no distress, there is no oppression." He heard the dhamma and attained 1st stage of sainthood.

     

    Yasa's mother discovered the disappearance of the son and told the father. Yasa's father searched for the son and met the Buddha. The father heard the Dhamma and took refuge in Triple Gems (1st lay disciple who took the 3-fold formula).

     

    Yasa on hearing the discourse delivered to his father attained arahantship. Buddha let the father see his son.

     

    The father invited the Buddha and his disciples for alms on the following day. Yasa was ordained and conferred the Higher Ordination.

     

    After their meal, Yasa's mother and his former wife heard the doctrine expounded by the Buddha and attained 1st stage of Sainthood (1st 2 lay female followers).

     

    Yasa's 54 friends joined Yasa and after receiving instructions from the Buddha attained arahantship.

     

    Now the Buddha had 60 disciples, all arahants who had realised the Dhamma and were fully competent to teach others. When the rainy season ended, Buddha sent the 60 arahants in various directions to preach the dhamma for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, benefit and happiness of gods and men.

     

    He addressed his immediate disciples with these words:

"Released am I, monks. From all ties whether human or divine. You also are delivered from all fetters whether human or divine. Go now and wander for the welfare and happiness of many, out of compassion for the world, for the gain, welfare, and happiness of gods and men. Let not two of you proceed in the same direction... I also shall go to Uruvela, to Senanagama, to teach the Dhamma."

 

  1. Conversion of 30 young men at Uruvela1 p51

    1 without wife brought a courtesan who absconded their valuables. In search of the courtesan, the men met Buddha and heard His discourse and soon entered the Order.


  2. Conversion of 3 Kassapa brothers - Uruvela Kassapa, Nadῑ Kassapa and Gayā Kassapa, living separately with 500, 300 and 200 disciples respectively

    Buddha subdued the serpent and this pleased Uruvela Kassapa who then invited Buddha to stay as a guest. Buddha exhibited his psychic power to impress the ascetic and finally convinced him.

     

    Uruvela Kassapa and his followers entered the Order and obtained the Highest Ordination. His brothers and followers also followed suit. Buddha preached the Dittapariyāya Sutta (All in Flames) and the 3 Kassapa brothers attained Arahantship.


  3. Conversion of Sāriputta and Moggallāna - 2 chief disciples of the Buddha1 p53

    Sāriputta and Moggallāna were very intimate friends who decided to leave the world and seek the Path of Release. They approached many famous Brahmins but they did not provide them the Path of Release.

     

    Finally, they returned to their village and made a pact with each other to that whoever would first discover the Path should inform the other.

     

    One day, Upatissa Sāriputta met Ven. Assaji and upon Upatissa's request to preach little or much, uttered the 4 lines stanza:

"Of things that proceed from a cause, Their cause the Tathāgata be told,

And also their cessation; Thus teaches the Great Ascetic."

 

On hearing the first two lines, he attained 1st stage of Sainthood. He returned to inform his friend Kolita, who also attained 1st stage of Sainthood, on hearing the whole stanza.

 

They approached their former teacher Sanjaya, to convert him and failed. However 500 disciples of Sanjaya followed them to see the Buddha and half way 250 returned to Sanjaya, while the rest joined the Order.

 

One week after ordination, Moggallāna attained arahantship. A fortnight later after ordination, Sāriputta attained Arahantship, upon hearing the Buddha expounded Vedanā Pariggaha Sutta, to the wandering ascetic Dῑghamakha.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum Similar Artefact

Artefact Description

This gold leaf on copper panel is the initial trial panel of the 'Eight Aspects of Buddha's Life'- panels found at the base of the Golden Sacred Relic Buddha Tooth Stupa, located on the 4th floor of the Temple. This was crafted by Shanghai Kangyu Enterprise.

 

The scene of 'Spreading the Dharma' is elaborated with the vivid depictions of Buddha Shakyamuni spotted in Dharmachakra mudra (turning the Wheel of the Law), surrounded by numerous disciples, against the backdrop of the Bodhi Tree.

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Bibliography:

  1. Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero, Life of The Buddha In Gandhara Art, 2006, ISBN 981-05-7045-7
  2. Department of Tourism, Government of India, Walking with the Buddha, 2nd edition 2004, ISBN 81-87780-24-X
  3. Sir John Marshall, The Buddhist Art of Gandara, 3rd edition 2008, ISBN 978-81-215-0967-1
  4. Indian Museum, Kolkata, The Way of The Buddha, reprint 2005
  5. Ratan Parimoo, Life of the Buddha in Indian Sculpture, 1936, ISBN 13:9788124605523
  6. Charles F. Chicarelli, Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Introduction, 2004, ISBN 974-9575-54-7
  7. Ven. Narada Maha Thero, Vision of The Buddha, The Buddha and His Teachings, 2006, ISBN-10: 8179926176
  8. Saddhaloka, Encounters With Enlightenment, Stories from the Life of the Buddha, Windhorse Publications, 2001, ISBN 978 1 899579 37 2

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