Buddha resting with His head on a knee

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vinodh
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Buddha resting with His head on a knee

Post by vinodh »

Hi All,

I am frequently coming across a peculiar posture of the Buddha, who is resting by placing His head on the knee such as below:

Image

I want to know whether this depiction is traditional (I suppose Thai) or some fancy new age creation. If its traditional, what does the posture specifically signify ?

V
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Buddhists Texts in Brahmi Script : http://www.virtualvinodh.com/brahmi-lipitva

yo dharmaṁ paśyati, sa buddhaṁ paśyati
One who sees the Dharma, sees the Buddha

na pudgalo na ca skandhā buddho jñānamanāsravam
sadāśāntiṁ vibhāvitvā gacchāmi śaraṇaṁ hyaham

Neither a person nor the aggregates, the Buddha, is knowledge free from [evil] outflows
Clearly perceiving [him] to be eternally serene, I go for refuge [in him]
daverupa
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Re: Buddha resting with His head on a knee

Post by daverupa »

It seems to go by the moniker "resting buddha", and it seems quite recent.

Traditional poses were all new, once upon a time; depictions of the Buddha do not seem to have been made for a few centuries after the Buddha taught, and at first only by implication - footprints, for example, or an empty seat.
  • "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting oneself one protects others? By the pursuit, development, and cultivation of the four establishments of mindfulness. It is in such a way that by protecting oneself one protects others.

    "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting others one protects oneself? By patience, harmlessness, goodwill, and sympathy. It is in such a way that by protecting others one protects oneself.

- Sedaka Sutta [SN 47.19]
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Bonsai Doug
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Re: Buddha resting with His head on a knee

Post by Bonsai Doug »

I've also seen this labeled, Buddha At Ease.

Kind of a variation of the Kwan Yin Royal Ease:
Image
Now having obtained a precious human body,
I do not have the luxury of remaining on a distracted path.

~ Tibetan Book of the Dead
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