A Huge Rattanakosin Bouddha, circa 1850

Bronze statue of Buddha seated in Bhumisparsa mùdra, or gesture of taking the earth as witness. This gesture represents Buddha’s enlightenment.

It carries great importance in Thai imagery, because it is the symbol of victory over Mâra (death, the demon, the great place of desires and passions). Mâra tried to interrupt Buddha’s meditation by presenting him with every possible distraction. In response, Buddha touched the earth, calling on nature and the earth goddess Sthavara to bear witness to his resolve.

For the Thais, this episode is seen as an illustration of the greatest of miracles and portrays the pinnacle of Buddha’s life. Rattanakosin, circa 1850