Old Buddha in black lacquered wood - Wood, Taking the earth to witness - Bhūmisparśa-mudrā - Laos - 19th century

Old Buddha in black lacquered wood. Origin: Laos. Period: 19th century. Dimensions: - height: 20. 5cm. - measure at the widest: 9. 4cm. Weight: 242g. Good condition, wear of time. He calls the earth to witness. The gesture of taking the earth as witness - bhūmisparśa-mudrā: sitting in a meditation posture, the Buddha comes out of his meditation and moves his right arm towards his knee to touch the earth with the tips of his fingers. This gesture recalls a precise moment, during which, just before reaching Awakening, Shakyâmuni was challenged by Mâra, the lord of death and desire. In fear of seeing his power undermined, the latter dispatched his formidable armies and voluptuous daughters to the recluse in meditation. These assaults remained in vain, Mâra asked the meditator to provide proof of his past merits. Neither frightened nor moved, the latter calmly touched the ground with his right hand and asked Sthâvarâ (or Prithvî) , the earth goddess, to bear witness to the meritorious acts accumulated and the gifts lavished for the benefit of all living beings. The goddess testified, thus sealing the defeat of Mâra. “As soon as this great Earth was touched by the Bodhisattva, it trembled in six ways: trembled, trembled strongly on all sides; resounded, resounded strongly on all sides (. . .) The great goddess of the earth, named Sthâvarâ, having shown her body adorned with all its ornaments, the body tilted, the hands joined, spoke thus: it is indeed a Great man, he is well as it has been declared by you! Here we are to attest it. Moreover, Blessed One, you yourself have become the supreme witness of the world which also includes the gods. " Photos taken with artificial lighting. Registered shipping with insurance and tracking number.