Seated Buddha in lotus position

Author: Huashan Literature
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-19
Features: Siddhartha Gautama is a revered sage who was admired by all. Before attaining enlightenment, he too had experienced doubt and suffering. What distinguished him from ordinary people was his ability to empathize with the suffering of others, giving rise to an supreme aspiration for liberation. He renounced everything that ordinary people desire—wealth, throne, wife, and children—and (resolutely went into monastic life to practice). After six years of hardship and trials, he ultimately severed all nameless afflictions, realized the truth of the universe and human life, attained fundamental liberation, and finally became the Buddha who had attained perfect enlightenment.
The 100 Buddha images selected in this book follow the chronological sequence of Shakyamuni Buddha's life—from his birth, departure from the palace, practice, quest for enlightenment, awakening, becoming a Buddha, teaching, to his final passing into Nirvana. The images encompass a variety of artistic styles, including sculpture, painting, line drawings, statues, thangkas, and installations, among others. The majority of the selected images depict the Buddha in the cross-legged posture with hands in the Dhyana mudra. The cross-legged posture, also known as the "subduing demons" pose, symbolizes the taming of the mind and the protection of heavenly beings. Meanwhile, the "Dhyana mudra" with outstretched fingers represents the natural, self-restrained, calm, and steady state of mind of the practitioner.
Each image in this book is accompanied by an appropriate textual explanation, providing a focused evaluation of the artistic characteristics and historical anecdotes related to the Buddha images.