003
The Buddha Shakyamuni from a Set of the 1000 Buddhas of the Arya-bhadra-kalpa-sutra
Thangka, painting
Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder
23.0 x 27.0 inches
Indeterminate region
Ca. 15th or 16th century
Folk tradition
In the center, Shakyamuni Buddha is seated cross-legged attended by two Bodhisattvas, enlightened beings who have vowed to assist all other sentient beings in their quest for enlightenment. Shakyamuni holds an ascetic's begging bowl in his left hand, while he makes the earth-touching gesture with his right. The earth-touching gesture signifies the moment of the Buddha's enlightenment. The multiplicty of the Buddhas illustrates the concept of the universal nature of enlightenment. Essentially, the painting communicates the idea that every being can become a Buddha and that all Buddhas are one.
Wei Lin
Shakyamuni with 200 Buddhas Essay
Musuem #: 94.007
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1008