Buddha In Meditation with Pindapatra Statue

Robe Inlaid with Gemstones - Turqouise, Coral and Lapis
- Brass Sculpture
6.0" X 5.0" X 3.0"
1.1 kg

SiddhÄrtha Gautama, in Sanskrit, or Siddhattha Gotama, in Pali, was a spiritual teacher from ancient India and the founder of Buddhism. More commonly referred to as the Buddha or Shakyamuni Buddha. He is generally recognized by Buddhists as the Supreme Buddha (SammÄsambuddha) of our age. The precise nature of such a supreme Buddha - whether "merely" human or a transcendental, immortal, god-transcending being - is differently construed in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Theravada tends to view him as a super-human personage of supreme teaching skill and wisdom (uncontactable after his physical death), whereas Mahayana Buddhism goes further and tends to see him as a projection of an eternal, ultimate principle of Buddhahood present in all phenomena, immortal and transcendent.The time of his birth and death are uncertain: most early 20th-century historians date his lifetime from circa 563 BCE to 483 BCE; more recently, however, at a specialist symposium on this question, the majority of those scholars who presented definite opinions gave dates within 20 years either side of 400 BCEfor the Buddha's death, with others supporting earlier or later dates. Gautama, also known as Shakyamuni (Skt.; Pali: Sakyamuni; English: sage of the Shakyas) is the key figure in Buddhism, and accounts of his life, discourses, and monastic rules were said to have been summarized after his death and memorized by the sangha. Passed down by oral tradition, the Tipitaka, the collection of teachings attributed to Gautama by the Theravada, was committed to writing some centuries later. "Scholars are increasingly reluctant to make unqualified claims about the historical facts of the Buddha's life and teachings. About one hundred and fifty years after the Buddha's death and contrary to his wishes, statues depicting him began to appear in Asian countries. The Buddha had always encouraged his disciples to "be a lamp unto themselves" and not look outside for figures to worship. But, perhaps due to the influence of Greek statuary and, later, the devotional tenor of Mahayana Buddhism, Indian Buddhists began to create representations, not only of Shakyamuni Buddha, but also of a host of other Buddha's and bodhisattvas, each with his or her own virtues or powers. In Buddhist iconography each Buddha is depicted with a characteristic mudra. The Sanskrit "mudra" literally means "seal" or "sign" and it identifies specific gestures associated with different aspects of the Buddhist teachings. In the Mahayana (Great Vehicle) and Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle) schools of Buddhism, mudras accompany the performance of liturgy and the recitation of mantras. They also help to establish or bring into being certain inner states by anticipating their physical expression. In this way, the dhyani or cosmic mudra used in zazen brings about the focus and inner stillness needed to sit in long periods of meditation. Other mudras include the Anjali mudra or gassho, to express "suchness" or the nonduality inherent in the realm of differences, and the vitarka mudra. About one hundred and fifty years after the Buddha's death and contrary to his wishes, statues depicting him began to appear in Asian countries. The Buddha had always encouraged his disciples to ''be a lamp unto themselves'' and not look outside for figures to worship. But, perhaps due to the influence of Greek statuary and, later, the devotional tenor of Mahayana Buddhism, Indian Buddhists began to create representations, not only of Shakyamuni Buddha, but also of a host of other buddhas and bodhisattvas, each with his or her own virtues or powers. In Buddhist iconography each Buddha is depicted with a characteristic mudra. The Sanskrit ''mudra'' literally means ''seal'' or ''sign'' and it identifies specific gestures associated with different aspects of the Buddhist teachings. In the Mahayana (Great Vehicle) and Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle) schools of Buddhism, mudras accompany the performance of liturgy and the recitation of mantras. They also help to establish or bring into being certain inner states by anticipating their physical expression. In this way, the dhyani or cosmic mudra used in zazen brings about the focus and inner stillness needed to sit in long periods of meditation. Other mudras include the Anjali mudra or gassho, to express ''suchness'' or the nonduality inherent in the realm of differences, and the vitarka mudra, a teaching mudra most commonly used in statues of Amitabha Buddha. It's important to note that in Zen, Buddhist statues are not used for worship, but are instead intended to remind us of our inherent perfection or ''buddha nature.'' Just as mudras help to actualize certain states of consciousness (like a smile that creates a feeling of happiness), Buddhist icons direct our awareness to particular qualities already present in us, acting as inspiration for our practice. For example, having a statue of Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, may act as a reminder of the vow we make as practitioners to save all sentient beings before ourselves. Manjushri, with his sword of wisdom, kills the ego and brings to life our inherent enlightened nature.

Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminium. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue. The turquoise is ancient, yet again and again it finds itself back in fashion. Its shining sky blue is one of the most popular trend colours in the world of jewellery and fashion. Turquoise gemstone has been esteemed for thousands of years as a holy stone, a bringer of good fortune or a talisman. In earlier times, turquoises were even responsible for the material wellbeing of the wearer. The Persian scholar Al-Qazwini, for example, wrote: 'The hand that wears a turquoise and seals with it will never see poverty.' Turquoises were often worn on the turban, and often surrounded with pearls, in order to protect their wearer against the 'evil eye'. As talismans, they adorned daggers, sabres and the bridles of horses. It was not until the time of the crusades that they came to Europe. Indeed it is from that period that the name 'turquoise' originates, meaning 'Turkish'. At all times and over the world, turquoises have been worn as natural protection against the powers of darkness. The colour of the turquoise makes us feel happy and cheerful, for in it the light blue of the sky and the stimulating green of the sea are combined. Indeed it is such an inimitable colour that we have coined a term specifically for it in our languages: turquoise. Anyone choosing a turquoise is sure to enjoy a piece of Heaven ... on Earth.

Precious coral or red coral is the common name given to Corallium rubrum and several related species of marine coral. As to the origin of the name, the etymologists are not, however, of one opinion. Some say that it comes from the Greek 'korallion', which denotes the hard, calcareous skeleton of the coral animals, or from 'kura-halos', for 'mermaid', as the fine branches of the coral sometimes look like small figures. Others think it more likely that the word is derived from the Hebrew 'goral', (a small stone used in the drawing of lots), for coral branches used to be used in oracles in Palestine, Asia Minor and around the Mediterranean. The distinguishing characteristic of precious corals is their durable and intensely colored red skeleton, which is used for making jewelry. Coral has been used for decorative purposes and esteemed as a protective stone since time immemorial. Even today, red corals are still worn as a talisman to protect the wearer against evil spirits in many cultures. Modern gemstone therapists too highly esteem its positive effects. Coral, it is said, relieves tension and fear and promotes positive forms of social life. The ancient faith in the protective and invigorating force of coral is perpetuated in the custom of putting a necklace of red corals round the neck of a small child. Young girls too are often given a fine coral necklace as their first piece of jewellery. Yet coral is more than that: in some wonderful way coral reflects the complexion of its wearer, developing a positively irresistible effect on her bare skin. Coral is one of the most attractive decorative materials imaginable.