This hand carved Cambodian Buddha is seated in the 'earth touching' gesture or 'earth witness' also known as bhumisparsha mudra.  This gesture is performed by extending the right hand downwards to touch the ground with its fingertips.  It symbolizes the precise moment when the awakening Buddha, Shakyamuni, vanquished the army of Mara beneath the bodhi tree and summoned the goddess of the earth, Sthavara, to bear witness to his countless acts of sacrifice.  Shakyamuni Buddha is commonly represented upon his enlightenment throne with his right hand touching the earth, and his left hand resting upon his lap in the gesture of meditation.  This symbolizes the union of his method or skillful means in overcoming Mara (right hand), through the perfect wisdom of his deep meditation upon emptiness (left hand).
 
This beautiful earth touching Buddha statue was hand carved from one piece of antique wood, a rare find.  There are three features that stand out on this piece: the large flame bursting from his head (ushnisha), his long face with extended earlobes as well as its stunning colors.  Overall a magnificent piece.

The art of wood sculpture goes back to the glorious epoch of the Khmer empire and the monumental constructions that gave rise to the Angkor temples.  Our artisans have inherited patience and meticulousness from their ancestors in the trade.  They have learned  to capture the movements used in olden times and master the traditional tools in order adapt to their personal lines of work.

This wood sculpture is a one of a kind statue, hand carved by the artists of Cambodia.

Shipping for this particular piece is calculated from our warehouse in Oceanside, California after purchase.  Please call or email info@dharmasculpture.com for a shipping quote.  If you place your order online, shipping will appear as $0.  The shipping will be calculated based on the weight of the sculpture and the distance from our warehouse in Oceanside, California to its final destination.  The shipping will then be added to the total after the order is placed and we will send you a new invoice.

Please email or call us, toll free, with any questions or comments 1(888)DHARMA-4,  info@dharmasculpture.com

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