Artwork Details

Title
Gandharan-Style Buddha
Dimensions
14 3/4 × 9 3/4 × 3 1/2 in.
Medium
Metal alloy
Origin
Afghanistan
Classification(s)
sculpture
Date
6th-7th century
Credit Line
Purchased with funds from an anonymous donor
Object number
C2013.7a-c
Published references
* Christie’s New York, Indian and Southeast Asian Art, Sale 2678, March 19, 2013, lot 210.* Van Alphen, J. Collection Highlights: Rubin Museum of Art. (New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2014). Pp. 60-61

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Enlightenment

Concepts

A state of “waking up” from illusion and seeing the true nature of reality. Buddha Shakyamuni attained enlightenment while meditating under the bodhi tree. Buddhist teaching explains that the accumulation of merit and wisdom are essential for achieving enlightenment, also known as awakening.

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Awakening

Concepts

A state of “waking up” from illusion and seeing the true nature of reality. Buddha Shakyamuni attained awakening while meditating under the bodhi tree. Buddhist teaching explains that the accumulation of merit and wisdom are essential for achieving awakening, also known as enlightenment.

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Wisdom

Concepts

The antidote to ignorance, with the highest form of wisdom being an understanding of the true nature of reality and all phenomena. In Buddhism studying the nature of interdependence and emptiness is considered an important step for attaining wisdom.

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Buddhas

Figure Type

An awakened being who understands the true nature of reality and is free from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. While there are many buddhas, Siddhartha Gautama is the historical Buddha, whose teachings became the foundation of Buddhism.

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