india, western rajasthan Jina 12th century Black stone 24¼ × 20 × 10 in. (61.6 × 50.8 × 25.4 cm) Gift of the Junior Associates, 2003.7.1
Jainism was founded in the sixth century bc by Vardhamana Mahavira, who preached a religion of peace, purity, and the conquest of desire. Like Buddhism in the same period, Jainism was an offspring of Hinduism. Its peaceful message still marks one of the great religions in India. This Tirthankara, or enlightened Jain holy figure, sits in the traditional pose of meditation. He is naked because the “sky-clad” followers of Jainism believe that clothing is a barrier between a person’s spirit and the realization of enlightenment. On his chest is the sacred srivatsa mark, symbolizing transcendence. The dark stone of the sculpture emphasizes the smooth form and intense concentration of the holy figure, which passes far beyond ordinary life.
thailand, lan na Seated Buddha subduing Mara 14th–15th century Bronze 34M × 29 × 16 in. (87.6 × 73.7 × 40.6 cm) Gift of David T. Owsley via the Alvin and Lucy Owsley Foundation, 1998.65
Royal courts in Thailand adopted Indian religions and art styles from an early period. Thai kings were identified with Hindu gods like Shiva and Vishnu. An early form of Buddhism, called Theravada, which was close to the original teachings of the Buddha, was very popular and is the chief religion in Thailand today. This image of the Buddha seated in meditation is based on a type of Buddhist art originating in Bodhgaya, where the Buddha achieved enlightenment. He suppresses Mara, the demon of ignorance, by calling the earth to witness his enlightenment. The calm, pure figure of the Buddha is dressed in simple monk’s robes, signifying his renouncement of worldly attachments.
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