| 18th
Century Gilt Bronze Buddha Statue
Prajnaparamita
Six Armed Great Mother
Inscripted: Qianlong Reign, 1735-1795
H
9 in.(23cm), W 7.5 in.(19cm), D 5 in.(12.5cm)
Condition: Good, attributes loss |  |
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Prajnaparamita
is the mother of all Buddhas. She is the female personification of perfect wisdom.
The Prajnaparamita Sutras (The Teaching of Perfect Wisdom) are the essence of
Mahayana Buddhism. Once taught by the Historic Buddha Shakyamuni, it is fundamentally
a philosophy on the path to Buddhahood. The Prajnaparamita sutras contains 40
written texts which include ten Prajnaparamita (perfections): meditation, wisdom,
dedication, charity, morality, discipline, knowledge, patience, courage, right
conduct.
Private Collection |  |
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This
beautifully gilded Prajnaparamita is seated above a prone human figure symbolizing
the triumph of wisdom/compassion over human ignorance. The Buddha Mother is shown
in lalitasana on a lotus throne, with seven character marks in relief which date
the statue to the Qianlong reign. The naked goddess is wearing only a feather
skirt; she is ornamented with an incised necklace, a string of long beads and
a sash wrapped across her body descending from her left shoulder. She wears a
five-leaf crown not unlike other similar statues made in the mid Qing eras. The
face of Prajnaparamita is sensual but serene. She is six armed, with only a vajra
and a feather remaining in two hands; four attributes once held in her other hands
are now missing. A finely finished casting finished on all sides.
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