Talismans - Reliquaries - Monastery of Thailand - Kanchanaburi Province (2) - Terracotta, Carved metal - Reliquary of protection: Buddha in meditation and taking the earth as witness - Thailand - 1950-1980

Talismans - Reliquaries - Monastery in Thailand Protection reliquaries: Buddha meditating on a levelled throne (metal) and rosettes of Buddhas calling on the Earth to witness (terracotta) . Province of Kanchanaburi. Reliquaries in silvery metal. These reliquaries are contemporary. The terracotta and the elaborate plate are older. Thai Reliquaries are considered as magical charms. They ensure protection against dangers and misfortunes, bring love to those who seek it, favour good luck and power. Most have been blessed and activated in the Temple or Monastery of their creator. Condition: good, with a few traces of wear. Total weight: 39. 90 grams. Dimensions: 50. 7 × 17. 3 × 30. 3 mm (for the largest one) and 47. 5 x 13. 8 x 30. 7 mm (rounded) . The lotus position with joining hands is the classic posture of meditation. The hands are sometimes represented with touching thumbs, forming a mystical triangle. This gesture, symbol of wisdom, was performed by Buddha in his final meditation, when he reached enlightenment. The gesture of calling on the Earth to witness - bhūmisparśa-mudrā: sitting in a meditative posture, Buddha comes out of his meditation and moves his right arm towards his knee, to touch the earth with the tip of his fingers. This gesture recalls a precise moment, when Shakyâmuni was challenged by Mâra, the lord of death and desire, just before reaching Awakening. Fearing 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, he calmly touched the ground with his right hand and asked Sthâvarâ (or Prithvî) , the earth goddess, to witness of 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 Earth goddess, named Sthâvarâ, appeared with a body decorated with all her ornaments, the body inclined, the hands joined, she said: he is indeed a Great man, as you declared yourself! Here we are to prove it. Moreover, Blessed, you have become the supreme witness of the world, which also includes the gods”. The pictures were taken in daylight. Registered shipment with insurance and track & trace.