Friday, May 4, 2012

Buduruwagala Stone Carves



Buduruwagala is an ancient buddhist temple in Uva province, Sri Lanka. The complex consists of seven statues and belongs to the Mahayana school of thought. The statues date back to the 10th century. The gigantic Buddha statue still bears traces of its original stuccoed robe and a long streak of orange suggests it was once brightly painted. The central of the three figures to the Buddha's right is thought to be the Buddhist mythological figure-the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. To the left of this white painted figure is a female figure in the thrice-bent posture, which is thought to be his consort-Tara.

Buduruwagala, meaning 'the rock with the statue of Buddha' is situated in the Wallawaya district,  Uva province , Sri Lanka. It has the tallest stone Buddha image in the world at 51 feet since Bamiyan images no longer exist in Afghanistan. There are three figures each, on either side of the Buddha image, all with abhaya Mudra and belonging to the Latter period of Anuradhapura. It is believed that these were created during the reign of King Walagamba ( 8th - 10th century). These images belong to the Mahayana doctrine.




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