Buddha

Buddha
Southeast Asian?
Undated
jade or stone?
5 inches height
Originally from American Baptist Seminary of the West

With the right hand palm down reaching to the earth and the left hand resting palm up on the lap, this posture is called "bhumisparsha mudra." In English this is translated as "Touching the Earth, or Calling the Earth To Witness the Truth mudra." This mudra (hand gesture) recalls the story of the historical Buddha's enlightenment, when he asked the earth to bear witness to his worthiness to become a Buddha.

Such small statues of the Buddha are placed on personal altars, where the arrangement is from left to right: sacred text, Buddha, and a model of a stupa. These objects represent the Three Jewels of Refuge. In this arrangement, the stupa represents the Buddha, the scripture represents the Dharma (teachings/ natural order) and the Buddha represents the Sangha (community). The objects on the altar serve as a means to direct one's mind to the Buddha's enlightened qualities, which one seeks in order to benefit others.