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Wat Benchamabophit: Walking Buddha
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Wat Benchamabophit: Walking Buddha
THAILAND, Bangkok; 14th–15th century; Bronze; H: 166 cm; Bangkok National Museum, Thailand
The statue was originally located in Wat Benchamabophit. Sculptures of the walking Buddha are unique artistic features from the Sukhothai Kingdom (circa 1238–1438), where great emphasis is placed on the shape and movement of the body. In addition, certain traits of the Buddha described in Pali sutras became a requirement in Sukhothai art. They include an oval face, very long arms, upturned fingertips, broad shoulders, and flat feet with toes of equal length.
The left hand of this figure is raised in abhaya (fearlessness) mudra, while the right arm hangs away from the body, due in part to its backward sway. The posture adds to the sense of movement provided by the forward thrust of the left hand and foot, while the heel of the right is set back and slightly raised. The figure wears a diaphanous monastic robe arranged so as to leave the right shoulder bare. The deep fold falling from the raised arm hangs free of the body and then flutters around the ankles. |
