Maitreya, the Budhha to come
Nepal, 18th Century
Copper repousse, bronze
Object 320
In this contemplative image maitreya, "The Benevolent," is Turning the Wheel of the law (dharmachakra mudra) in the Tushita Heaven. There as a bodhisattva he teaches Buddhist doctrine to celestial Beings until he descends to this world as the future mortal Buddha.
Dressed in princely raiment and splendid ornaments (some are missing), his hair is braided into an elaborate ascetic's chignon. It supports a chaitya, or stupa, the sacred monument of the Buddhist world. The chaitya is maitreya's most characteristic attribute and refers to the belief that shankyamuni Budhha's garments are enclosed in a stupa near Bodhgaya to which at his descent maitreya are the ascetic's water vessel and a wheel.
As a bodhisattva maitreya-often called "Maitri" in Nepal- is believed to be active in this world and although his Buddhahood is yet to come, he is sometime depicted as a buddha seated with pendant legs.
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Resource: Patan Museum (Patan Darbar Square, Nepal)
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