Buddha Maitreya

Description

Standing tall on the lotus throne, this Bodhisattva Maitreya has a string of pearls on His upper body and He holds on to a Cintamanicakra (wish-fulfilling jewel) on His right hand, while the aureole latches on to His left hand.

There are two key icons sprouting from the Nagapuspa flower, which extends from the aureole of the Bodhisattva Maitreya. On the left is a water flask, which possibly represents the Bodhisattva Maitreya as a brahmanical ascetic (based on Indian prototype). It is believed to symbolise Bodhisattva Maitreya's identity as a Brahmin when he descends to the human world. On the right is the Dharma Wheel, which shows that Bodhisattva Maitreya will preach the Dharma after His Enlightenment.

His head (with a high bun) adorns a five-leaf crown and a double-layered robe with lavish embellishments on the lower body.

Description

Bodhisattva Maitreya stands on the niche above the lotus throne, in a graciously exaggerated posture, the body beautifully counterbalanced. His right hand is raised in Abhaya (fear-dispelling) mudra and His left hand holds a flask (Kundika) universally understood in South Asian culture as the container of amrita, the elixir of life.

Drawing strong references from Standing Maitreyas from Nagapattinam, the Bodhisattva Maitreya has a matted hair (Jatamakuta) and at the crown of the head lies a Stupa, which signifies Buddha Shakyamuni as His predecessor.^{1 fg 214, 215, 216; 2 fg 89}

In a Buddhist setting, the flask is understood as the promise of Bodhisattva Maitreya's coming. The elegant aesthetics of this sculpture embody contemporary eastern Indian Pala styles, yet it displays a startling elegance combined with an almost austere economy of surface decoration: jewellery is restrained, textile patterns minimally suggested.

Description

Bodhisattva Maitreya stands on the niche above the lotus throne, His right hand in Abhaya (fear-dispelling) mudra and the left hand in Varada (charity-bestowing) mudra.

His attire comprises of three pieces of cloth - one wrapped around the waist like a skirt, a second under robe visible at the ankles and a third outer mantle that covers His upper body and hangs down from His arms - draping in incised concentric folds. His head is crowned with a high tiara encrusted with turquoise, in a high bun.

Traces of glitz bronze can be seen peeling off His face.

Description

Bodhisattva Maitreya stands in a graciously exaggerated posture, the body beautifully counterbalanced.

Presence of the Nagapuspa flower is not obvious but a long stem traces along the left arm to the left palm, indicating that the Nagapuspa flower may have broken off.

Small flower motifs are evident across the neck region as well, which may be Nagapuspa flowers.

Another key feature of Maitreya known as Kamandalu is also absent in this figure but this Maitreya bears an emblematic stupa in his hair arrangement.

The dhoti conforms to the shape of the body underneath.

Each hand has the thumb touching the end of the inflected middle finger, while the three fingers are pointed upwards. According to Saunders, the Vitarka (Teaching) mudra, when it is displayed by the Buddha, indicates the exposition of the law or the deliberation on the Doctrine.

In Vajrayana or Tantrayana Buddhism, sometimes the Nagapusa flower and Kamandalu are not apparent in the sculptures of Maitreya.

Historical Background

Stylisitc inspiration from Newari artists of Nepal is apparent in copper-bronze figures of the Bodhisattva Maitreya produced in Tibet around the eleventh to twelfth centuries, adopting the stupa emblem, lozenge pattern on dhoti, skirt-like garment worn around the waist.

1. https://www.wayofbodhi.org/buddhism-in-nagapattinam-tamil-nadu/