Buddha in Abhaya Mudra in white stone SC-99-98

Exquisitely carved lord Buddha in Abhaya mudra in white soap Stone. Lord Buddha, more popularly known as Gautam Buddha or Siddharth, is considered to be one of the ten incarnations (Dashavatar) of Lord Vishnu in Hindu mythology and holds an esteemed place in the spiritual culture of India.

The awakening and enlightenment of Gautam had taken place under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya. Subsequently Gautam Buddha’s philosophy of four noble truths and the noble eightfold path to conquer sufferings spread across India and later across many parts of Asia. Odisha has a strong connection with Buddhism since the ancient age when Emperor Ashoka, after the Kalinga war, atoned for the destruction and embraced Buddhism. Rock edicts and stupas carrying Buddhism philosophy were constructed in many places of Odisha, the most famous ones being at Dhauligiri and Jaugada. Numerous stupas, viharas and statues of Buddha are seen all across Odisha, in places like Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri, Udaygiri and so on.

This beautiful stone statue is carved intricately following the style of the temple sculptures of Odisha. In this statue, Gautama Buddha is seen in Abhaya Mudra – the Mudra for reassurance to the disciples. The literal meaning of Abhaya is Absence of fear in Sanskrit. This mudra symbolizes protection and reassurance by the lord to the followers.