Seated Buddha Akshobya the Imperturbable,
Buddha of the East
Tibet, 9th-10th century
Gilt copper
Height 22-3/4 inches
1995.106
Buddhism traces its roots to meditation, and images of Buddhas are
frequently in meditative poses. Siddhartha (the historic Buddha and
member of the Shakya tribe) became enlightened through sitting in
meditation beneath a tree for 49 days; he understood the secret of
sorrow and how to overcome it.
Seated in a typical double lotus position, this Buddha's right hand
makes the earth-touching gesture (bhumisparshamudra) which alludes
to the historic Buddha Shakyamuni's "victory over the evil demon
Mara, who sought to disturb is meditation and therefore his enlightenment."
(MMA Bulletin, Fall 1995) His face is calm, serene, unflappable.
The Five Jinas or Dhyani Buddas of the Five Directions, which occur
only in Esoteric Buddhism, include the white Vairochana of the center,
the blue Akshobya of the east, the yellow Ratnasambhava of the south,
the red Amitabha of the west, and the green Amoghasiddhi of the north.
The style of this Buddha reflects elements from the artistic traditions
of Central Asia, India, Nepal, and China.
The Bulletin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, v 53, no 2,
Fall 1995. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1995.
Buddhism: Introduction, Iconography in The Grove Dictionary of
Art Online, ed. L. Macy (Accessed 17 September 2002), <http://www.groveart.com>
Kilmburg-Salter, Deborah E. "Tibet, Iconography and subject-matter,
Religious", The Grove Dictionary of Art Online, ed. L.
Macy (Accessed 17 September 2002), <http://www.groveart.com>
Metropolitan Museum of Art Central Catalog, New York, New York.
