On this page is a collection of various kinds of Buddha statues and several important Buddhist sites
People in Myanmar like flashing lights. Many of their Buddha statues are surrounded by flashing lights. Below is a short video clip of such a Buddha statue.
The hand gestures of the Buddha statues have various meanings. Below is some more information about these hand gestures.
Video clip of Buddha statue with light effects. (14.3M) Buddha statue in a temple in Nyaungshwe. (698k) Buddha statue in a temple in Nyaungshwe. (1035k) Buddha statue in a temple in Nyaungshwe. (1087k) Historic Buddha statue in one of the temples in Nyaungshwe. (947k) Buddha statue in one of the temples in Nyaungshwe. (625k) Buddha statue in one of the temples in Nyaungshwe. (602k) Buddha statue in one of the temples in Nyaungshwe. (1029k) Buddha statue in a temple in Inle Lake. (1005k) Gilded Buddha statue. (1133k) Close-up of the head of the gilded Buddha statue. (912k) White Buddha statue with light effects behind it. (560k) Buddha statue. (1093k) Reclining Buddha. (888k) Antique Buddha statue. (646k) Large Buddha statue. (888k) Large Buddha statue. (972k) Close-up of the head of the large Buddha statue. (993k) Buddha statuue in the monastery in Bago. (900k)
Various hand gestures of Buddha
Buddha is shown with various hand gestures or Mudras.
The Bhumisparsha Buddha is always depicted in a seated position, with the right hand resting on the knee and fingers pointing towards the earth. The left hand rests on the lap with the palm facing upwards. 'Bhumisparsha' means 'touching the earth' or 'calling the earth to witness'. This mudra represents the moment when Buddha became enlightened underneath the Bodhi tree.
Dhyana Mudra
The Dhyana Buddha statue shows both hands resting in the lap. The back of the right hand is leaning on the palm of the left hand. Often the thumbs are touching each other, forming the mystic triangle. This is the meditation mudra, which symbolises wisdom. The Buddha used this gesture during his final meditation under the Bodhi tree when he attained enlightenment.
Abhaya Mudra
The Abhaya Mudra gesture shows the Buddha with the right hand raised, the palm facing outwards and the fingers upwards, while the left arm is next to the body. The Buddha can be depicted either in standing or seated position. The mudra is the gesture of fearlessness. It shows the stage of the Buddha's life immediately after achieving enlightenment.
Varada Mudra
The right arm of the varada statue falls downwards, with the palm facing towards the viewer. The five extended fingers represent the five perfections: generosity, morality, patience, effort and concentration. The varada mudra stands for compassion and charity and is often combined with other mudras.
Karana Mudra
The Karana Mudra has its index finger and little finger pointing straight upwards, while the other fingers fold into the palm. The karana Buddha can be depicted both seated and standing. The meaning of this gesture is to ward off evil and to get rid of demons and negative energy.
Dharmachakra Mudra
The Dharmachakra Mudra shows the tip of the middle finger on one hand, touching the tips of the thumb and index finger of the other hand, forming the mystic circle near the heart. This gesture represents setting the Wheel of the Dharma into motion. After the Buddha achieved enlightenment, he gave his first teaching to a companion in the Deer Park of Sarnath, and therefore it represents teaching.
Vitarka Mudra
In the Vitarka Mudra, the tips of the thumb and index finger touch each other and form a circle. The right hand is held up to the viewer and the left hand is resting in the lap. The Mudra symbolises the teaching phase in the life of Buddha and the circle stands for a never-ending flow of energy.
Tarjani Mudra
Threat, warning. The extended index finger is pointed at the opponent, which is ignorance or delusion and the antidote is wakefulness or mindfulness.
Sitting Buddha with the Bhumisparsha Mudra. (698k) Sitting Buddha with the Dhyana Mudra. (1022k) Standing Buddha with the Abhaya Mudra. (730k) Standing Buddha with the double Abhaya Mudra. (1041k) Sitting Buddha with the Varada Mudra. (813k) Standing Buddha with the Varada Mudra. (913k) Standing Buddha with the Karana Mudra. (690k) Sitting Buddha with the Dharmachakra Mudra. (845k) Standing Buddha with the Vitarka Mudra. (746k) Standing Buddha with the "Praying for Rain" Mudra. (755k) Standing Buddha with the "Seven Days Looking" pose. (902k) Buddha statue with unidentified Mudra. (838k) Buddha statue with unidentified Mudra. (793k) Buddha statue with unidentified Mudra. (783k) Buddha statue with unidentified Mudra. (722k)
Chauk Htat Gyee Buddha Temple is the most well-known Buddhist temple in Yangon. It houses one of the most revered reclining Buddha images in the country. The Buddha image is 66 m (217 ft) long, one of the largest in Myanmar.
The construction was sponsored by a wealthy Burmese Buddhist, Sir Po Tha, in 1899. The image was completed in 1907 by another construction company, but was not proportioned correctly, and the Buddha's face had an aggressive expression.
In the 1950s, the old Buddha image was demolished and temple trustees began work to replace the image, under the supervision of U Thaung, a master craftsman from Tavoy (now Dawei). Large glass eyes with dimensions of 1.77 - 0.58 m (5.81 - 1.90 ft) were custom-created at Naga Glass Factory. The Buddha image was consecrated in 1973.
Chaukhtatgyi reclining Buddha in Yangon. (898k) View along the reclining Buddha. (1019k) Head of the reclining Buddha. (717k) Arm and head of the reclining Buddha. (803k) Feet of the reclining Buddha. (924k) Soles of the feet of the reclining Buddha with decorations. (1058k) Dimensions of various parts of the Buddha statue. (1012k)
With a length of 82 m (269 ft) it is the longest in Myanmar.
Naung Daw Gyi Mya Tha Lyaung Buddha. (729k) View along the Mya Tha Lyaung Buddha. (620k) Head of the Mya Tha Lyaung Buddha. (510k) Head and arm of the Mya Tha Lyaung Buddha. (564k) Feet of the Mya Tha Lyaung Buddha. (647k) Soles of the feet of the Mya Tha Lyaung Buddha. (872k) Eye of the Mya Tha Lyaung Buddha. (531k) The Buddha is outside, so it is prone to decay. (711k)
The chapel and the reclining Buddha were built by Rama III in 1832. The image of the reclining Buddha represents the entry of Buddha into Nirvana and the end of all reincarnations. The posture of the image is referred to as sihasaiyas, the posture of a sleeping or reclining lion. The figure is 15 m (49 ft) high and 46 m (151 ft) long, and it is one of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand. The right arm of the Buddha supports the head with tight curls, which rests on two box-pillows richly encrusted with glass mosaics. The figure has a brick core, which was modelled and shaped with plaster, then gilded. The soles of the feet of the Buddha are 3 m (10 ft) high and 4.5 m (14.8 ft) long, and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. They are each divided into 108 arranged panels, displaying the auspicious symbols by which Buddha can be identified, such as flowers, dancers, white elephants, tigers, and altar accessories. At the center of each foot is a circle representing a chakra or energy point.
Reclining Buddha in Wat Pho. It is 46 m (151 ft) long. (606k) Painting around the reclining Buddha in Wat Pho. (891k) Head of the reclining Buddha in Wat Pho. (679k) Feet of the reclining Buddha in Wat Pho. They are intricately inlaid with mother-of-pearl. (861k) Toes with mother-of-pearl inlays. (941k) The sole of the foot with mother-of-pearl inlays. (1144k) Detail of mother-of-pearl inlays. (998k) Detail of mother-of-pearl inlays. (1001k)
One of the most impressive pieces of architecture in Bhutan is the huge Buddha statue on the mountain over Thimphu. It is 51.5 m (169.0 ft) high, made of bronze and gilded. It is supposedly the highest statue of a sitting Buddha.
View of the Buddha statue from across the valley. You can visualize the size. (688k) View of the Buddha statue from across the valley. (692k) Buddha statue with the Bhumisparsha Mudra. (669k) Close-up of the Buddha statue. (676k) The alms bowl in the Buddha's left hand. (598k) The Thunderbolt, symbol of male power. (690k) The beautiful head of the statue. (635k)
Various important Buddhist sites
Following are pictures of several important Buddhist sites.
Borobudur, Java, Indonesia is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. It dates back to the 9th century. It is said to hold a relic of the Buddha. (762k) Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Supposedly it holds a tooth of Buddha. (1063k) First Sermon Stupa in Sarnath, India. Buddha is believed to have preached his first sermon in Sarnath. Around 500 CE a large stupa was built on that place. (1019k) View of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar. It is said to hold two hairs of the Buddha, as well as teeth relics. (747k)
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Page last updated on Fri Dec 2 12:20:18 2022 (Mountain Standard Time)
Page last updated on Wed Apr 24 00:53:59 2024
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