Religions are often associated with magnificent
and opulent vestments- men of pomp and
grandeur, jade and amethyst. In poly and
monotheistic cultures alike, the high ranking
members of the church have adorned themselves
and their sanctuaries. Buddhism too, despite its
strict mandates of poverty, has had its share of
lavish ornament shed upon its statues and its
buildings. But the Buddha, even in his most
opulent and grand of forms, has always managed
to retain the composure of a humble and gentle
spiritual councilor. The intricate layout of his hair
beneath his crown, and most of all his stretched
ears, place this particular Buddha’s origin within
the civilization of the Khmer. His brow gentle, his
hands raised in a perpetual state of yielding
meditation; this figure gives us a sense of
completeness and understanding. His carefully
wrought face is truly stunning in its detail. His
thick lips, long, delicate eye-lids, and crescent
shaped cheek-bones all ensure us that the
artist’s conception of the Buddha was unique and
personal. In this sculpture we find the simplicity
and complete content of an abstemious
individual, almost paradoxically immortalized in
sumptuous bronze. The magnificence of his
metal and the skill of his craft cannot, however,
detract from his calm and pensive demeanor. For
those who pursue both peace and incredible
beauty in a single work of art, this Buddha is a
rare treasure.
- (FF.555)
|
