Prajnaparamita of Java
Prajñāpāramitā | |
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Prajñāpāramitā statue from East Java. | |
Material | Andesite stone |
Size | Height 126 cm, Width 50 cm |
Created | circa 13th century |
Discovered | Cungkup Putri, near Singhasari temple, Malang, East Java, Indonesia (1818) |
Present location | National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta |
Prajñāpāramitā of Java refers to a famous
Description
The statue of Prajnaparamita of East Java is probably the most famous depiction of the goddess of transcendental wisdom. The serene expression and meditative pose and gesture suggest peace and wisdom, in contrast with her rich and intricate jewelry and decorations. The goddess is in a perfect lotus meditative position called vajrasana posture, sitting on a double lotus cushion called padmasana (lotus pedestal) on top of a square base.[1] The statue sits before a carved stela. The statue is made of light gray andesite stone measuring a height of 126 cm (50 in), width 55 cm (22 in) and thickness 55 cm (22 in).[3]
The goddess performs dharmachakra-mudra (the
The statue was discovered in almost perfect condition in the
History
Prajnaparamita is a goddess of high standing in Mahayana Tantric Buddhism. She is considered the shakti, or consort, of the highest Buddha in the Buddhist pantheon known as Vajradhara. She symbolises perfect knowledge.[1]
In the 13th century, tantric Buddhism gained royal patronage of king
On the other hand, the Prajnaparamita of Singhasari was discovered in almost perfect condition. The pristine condition of the statue indicates that it was buried for quite some time. It was found near Candi E, the southernmost structure in the temple complex near Singhasari temple. The structure is called Candi Wayang or Cungkup Putri by local inhabitants.[4]
The Prajnaparamita of Java was discovered in 1818 or 1819 by D. Monnereau, a
For more than 158 years the statue resided in Leiden, the Netherlands.In January 1978, the Government of the Netherlands returned the statue to the Republic of Indonesia, when
Gallery
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Prajñāpāramitā statue from Singhasari, East Java.
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Prajñāpāramitā statue from East Java (front).
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Detail of Prajñāpāramitā statue (clothing), resemble jlamprang batik motifs.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "Collectionː Prajnaparamita". National Museum of Indonesia. Archived from the original on 9 January 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
- ^ a b c "Prajnaparamita". Virtual Collections of Asian Masterpieces. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
- ^ "Arca Prajnyaparamita Koleksi Museum Nasional Nomor Inventaris 17774". Sistem Registrasi Nasional Cagar Budaya (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2020-04-06.
- ^ ISBN 9780824827793. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
- ^ Drake, Earl (2012). Gayatri Rajapatni, Perempuan di Balik Kejayaan Majapahit. Yogyakarta: Ombak.
- ^ "Arca Prajnaparamitha" (in Indonesian). Balai Pelestarian Cagar Budaya Jambi. Archived from the original on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
- ^ "Worshipping the Source: The Buddhist Goddess Prajnaparamita". egregores. 25 September 2009. Retrieved 17 May 2015.