Standing Buddha, Poised Upon An Open Lotus

Upon the soft belly of a lotus stands the gracious Buddha. With His long, lean, slender proportions, He cuts a stately figure. A pair of lotus-like feet poised parallely to each other, like the stance of a true yogi; and palms turned outwards in generous blessing, the fingers gathered in dharmachakra mudra. Note the precision with which the digits of both hands and feet have been carved, each in perfect symmetry with life.

A subtle dynamism characterises the composition. While at first glance it is a simple solitary standing figure of the contemplative Buddha, there is provocative detail about the stance and the flowing robes. Besides other things, it conveys a distinctive sense of motion. There is beauty and lightness, both of which set off the contemplative mood of the work. Zoom in on the low, layered neckline, the folds of fabric gathered at the forearms, and the pleats of the skirt in order to appreciate the wood workmanship.

There is something about the Buddha, be it His seated or standing iconography. He is perennially steeped in yogic contemplation or samadhi. The same could be gleaned from the composure of His expressive countenance - a wide-set brow, flared nostrils, and a handsome mouth. Finally, lengthened earlobes and a mass of curls frame the princely face of the erstwhile Shakyamuni.