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Buddha Shakyamuni

Twin Miracles of Sravasti

Artefact Description

This exquisite sculpture of Buddha Shakyamuni performing Yamaka-patihariya (Twin Miracles of Fire and Water) at Sravasti, depicts the Buddha standing upright on a pedestal, with a slightly chipped Prabhamandala (aureole) behind His head.

 

This rare representation of Buddha with fire and water emanating from His body refers to the first of a series of miracles He performed at Sravasti, confounding His critics.4 fig 37, 5 fig 107

 

The sculpture encapsulates this event, celebrating the virtue of the Buddha's Teachings, in contrast to the philosophies of the Vedic Kasyapas.

 

Fire emanates upwards from His shoulders, while water sprouts forth from His toes. He is dressed in the robes of an ordained person shown in voluminous cascading folds. His left-hand grasps one end of His robes, while His right hand (missing) most likely displays the Abhaya or fearless mudra.

 

His hair, reflective of the folds of His Sanghati, is neatly combed up into a topknot, forming wavy lines starting from the centre of His forehead and ending in His Ushnisha. He has slightly pursed lips, forming a subtle smile with half-opened heavy-lidded eyes, a prominent chin and finely arched eyebrows.

 

His moderately elongated earlobes are well-defined, reaching down to the middle of His neck, although His left earlobe has abraded. Interestingly for this type of statue, the urna is not depicted.

Historical Background

It was in Sravasti that the Buddha performed the only miracle, in response to a challenge from 6 non-believers. The Buddha levitated on a thousand petalled lotus, causing fire and water to leap out of his body and multiplied his person in the air.1 p54, 2 p124, 3 fig 122, 4 fig 37, 5 p123

 

The Kasyapas, leaders of India's six prevailing philosophical schools, invited him to a contest of miraculous powers believing they could demonstrate his inferiority. Buddha's miracles, which also included allowing people to read each other's thoughts and spreading a cleansing light throughout the world, resulted in the conversion of the Kasyapas' ninety thousand followers.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum Similar Artefact

Artefact Description

This is an example of the Jambupati Buddha, a special type of Burmese Buddha sculpture adorned in royal attire. This sculpture is wearing a pair of long earrings extending to His shoulders and with a pair of flanges extended behind.

 

He is seen displaying the Bhumisphere (calling-the-earth-to-bear-witness) mudra as the Buddha attains Enlightenment and victory over Mara. This Jambupati Buddha is wearing rings on all fingers, except on the thumbs, symbolising exclusive patronage from only the queen of the royal family (note: all the Buddha's fingers will be adorned with rings, if it is an exclusive patronage from the king).

 

According to 18th century Burmese accounts, the arrogant and atrocious King Jambupati refused to accept Buddha's Teachings. Hence, Buddha transformed Himself into a magnificent king adorned in lavish royal attire that was so grand and splendid, that the King was awestruck and immediately sought Refuge in Buddha.

 

Yamaka-patihariya (Twin Miracles of Fire and Water) at Sravasti, depicts the Buddha standing upright on a pedestal, with a slightly chipped Prabhamandala (aureole) behind His head and displaying the Abhaya or fearless mudra. His hair, like the folds of His Sanghati, is neatly combed up into a topknot, forming wavy lines starting from the centre of His forehead and ending in His Ushnisha. He has slightly pursed lips, forming a subtle smile with half-opened heavy-lidded eyes, a prominent chin and finely arched eyebrows. His urna is not depicted.

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. Pia Brancaccio and Kurt Behrendt, Gandharan Buddhism, 2006, ISBN 978-0774-1081-5
  8. Dr. A. H. Dani, Gandhara Art In Pakistan, Dept of Films and Publications, Ministry of Information and Media Development, Government of Pakistan
  9. Ven. Narada Maha Thero, Vision of The Buddha, The Buddha and His Teachings, 2006, ISBN-10: 8179926176
  10. Saddhaloka, Encounters With Enlightenment, Stories from the Life of the Buddha, Windhorse Publications, 2001, ISBN 978 1 899579 37 2

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