Burmese Alabaster Reclining Buddha 19th C
Burmese Alabaster Reclining Buddha 19th C
This Burmese Alabaster Reclining Buddha 19th C shown in this reclining position is referred to as the sleeping Buddha or the dying Buddha. It is generally considered that if the Buddha is lying with his feet aligned it represents the Parinirvana (the final transition). If the feet are slightly splayed or misaligned it is suggestive of him resting or sleeping.
Depending on the specific details of the statue, the posture usually represents one of two distinct moments in the Buddha’s life:
1. The Mahaparinirvana (The Final Passing)
The most common interpretation is that the Buddha is in his final moments on earth. He is entering Parinirvana, the state of “nirvana-after-death,” which occurs upon the death of the body of someone who has attained enlightenment.
In these depictions, the Buddha is typically lying on his right side with his right hand supporting his head. His feet are often perfectly aligned, symbolizing the peaceful departure from the cycle of rebirth.
2. The Sleeping/Resting Buddha
While less common as a formal iconographic “mudra” (gesture), there are depictions where the Buddha is truly resting or sleeping.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- MATERIAL: – Alabaster
HEIGHT: – 36cm (highest Part)
DEPTH: – 19cm (Widest Part)
LENGTH: – 84cm
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Burmese Alabaster Reclining Buddha 19th C
The Mahaparinirvana – the Buddha’s final passage into a state of liberation beyond the reach of death stands as a cornerstone of Buddhist history. This profound transition took place in the quiet, ancient town of Kushinagar, nestled in the modern-day state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Today, the Mahaparinirvana Temple serves as a spiritual magnet, a sacred pilgrimage site where practitioners from every corner of the globe converge to pay homage to the “Great Departure”.
Far from being a somber monument to mortality, the iconography of the Reclining Buddha serves a much more transcendent purpose:
A Symbol of Potential: The image is a visual sermon, illustrating that the Buddha did not merely die, but successfully transcended the mundane world. It serves as a powerful reminder that every sentient being possesses the seed of Enlightenment.
Breaking the Cycle: His serene posture represents the ultimate victory over Samsara—the relentless cycle of birth, suffering, and rebirth—offering a blueprint for total spiritual freedom.
The artistic lineage of this posture is as deep as its philosophy. The earliest depictions emerged from the Gandharan school of art, a fascinating cultural crossroads where Greco-Roman aesthetics met Eastern spirituality. Developing between 50 BC and 75 AD, this artistic style reached its zenith during the Kushana period (1st to 5th century AD). It was during this golden age that the image of the reclining Buddha was first etched into stone, forever capturing the moment when human limitation dissolved into the infinite.
The Legend of Asurindarahu: One famous story involves the Buddha enlarging his form while reclining to humble a giant named Asurindarahu, who was too proud to bow to him. In this context, the posture represents a relaxed but enlightened state of being.
