<em>Seated Maitreya</em>, 13th–14th century. Gilt copper alloy, 10 1/4 x 7 1/2 x 3 in. (26 x 19.1 x 7.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Stewart Smith Memorial Fund, 67.80. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 67.80_front_PS11.jpg)

Seated Maitreya, 13th–14th century. Gilt copper alloy, 10 1/4 x 7 1/2 x 3 in. (26 x 19.1 x 7.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Stewart Smith Memorial Fund, 67.80. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 67.80_front_PS11.jpg)

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What is the symbol he’s making with his hands?

This Buddha's hands are in the dharmachakra mudra (position). This symbolizes "turning the wheel" and relates to the idea of teaching Buddhism.

What is this?

You're looking at a Tibetan sculpture of the bodhisattva Maitreya, who will become the Buddha of the future. Maitreya can be identified by the object resting atop the lotus by his shoulder. It is a kundika, or pouring vessel. If you look closely, you can just make out the spout. He holds his hands in the dharmachakra mudra.

Interesting! Could you tell me more about how this figure becomes the Buddha?

There are multiple Buddhas, though the one you think of as Buddha was Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of buddhism, who is also referred to as Gautama Buddha or Shakyamuni Buddha. This Buddha, Maitreya, is a different Buddha entirely. Bodhisattvas are figures who live on earth, and are well on the path to, but have not yet, attained Buddhahood, by following the tenets of Buddhism.

So cool. Thank you for the concise, but thorough, history!

This topic can get pretty complex! You're welcome.

Is this a buddha?

This is a seated Maitreya, a boddhisattva known as "the buddha of the future." He can be identified by the stupa (mound-like building) emerging from the flower by his shoulder.

With his hands he makes the dharmachakra mudra, a position that symbolizes turning the wheel, a concept related to teaching in Buddhism. His long, empty earlobes, meanwhile, stand for emptiness, and a lack of attachment.

Tell me more.

This statue shows us a seated Maitreya. He is known to be the Buddha of the future, responsible for eventually returning Buddhism to a world that has forgotten it.

We know that this is Maitreya because of the kundika, or pouring vessel, on top of the lotus on his shoulder.

Maitreya holds his hands in the dharmachakra mudra as well, a gesture that symbolizes turning the wheel and buddhist teaching, and therefore a reference to the future.

Seated Maitreya

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, Arts of the Himalayas, 2nd floor

Many Buddhists believe that another Buddha, named Maitreya, is waiting to descend to earth. When he arrives, he will reintroduce Buddhist teachings to humankind. This image shows Maitreya making hand gestures associated with teaching.

The monasteries of Tibet attracted scholars, patrons, and artists from distant areas of Asia, and the style of this image reflects the cosmopolitan nature of Tibetan Buddhist art. The Buddha’s clinging robe, with its stylized folds, derives from representations made in Nepal and eastern India, while the spiked hair curls and broad face are more typical of Chinese Buddhist sculptures.

MEDIUM Gilt copper alloy

Place Made: Tibet

DATES 13th–14th century

DIMENSIONS 10 1/4 x 7 1/2 x 3 in. (26 x 19.1 x 7.6 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Asian Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 67.80

CREDIT LINE Charles Stewart Smith Memorial Fund

PROVENANCE Prior to 1967, provenance not yet documented; 1967, acquired in India by the Brooklyn Museum.

Provenance FAQ

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Image of the Bodhisattva Maitreya (Tibetan: bYams-pa) seated in the lotus position (padmasana), his hands held in a teaching gesture. The figure is dressed in a monastic garment, which is drawn over both shoulders, its stylized folded drapery traceable to Indian prototypes. An open lotus blossom with petal turned downward rises from behind the figure's left arm. It is surmounted by a stupa, and there is a stupa in the figure's headdress; the stupas identify the subject as Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future. Tenons on bottom of figure would have attached it to a base, probably a lotus-shaped pedestal, which is no longer present. Condition: Generally good except for wearing of the gilding on parts of the figure and spots of bronze disease on legs, arms, hands, and face which were treated immediately.

EXHIBITIONS

Arts of the Himalayas

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, Arts of the Himalayas, 2nd floor

CAPTION Seated Maitreya, 13th–14th century. Gilt copper alloy, 10 1/4 x 7 1/2 x 3 in. (26 x 19.1 x 7.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Stewart Smith Memorial Fund, 67.80. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 67.80_front_PS11.jpg)

IMAGE front, 67.80_front_PS11.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2022

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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