Unknown Artist

Seated Buddha Shakyamuni, 18th century

About

• In the 13th century, the Tai king Mengrai, who established Lanna in northern Thailand, brought Wieng Chan (Vientiane) under his authority. Laotian history begins in the mid-14th century, when the Tai ruler Chao Fa Ngum broke away from Lanna to create the kingdom of Lan Xang (Land of a Million Elephants). Like the Khmer, Burmese, and Thais, the Lao- tians practice Theravada Buddhism (teaching of the Elders), which follows Pali texts that focus on Siddhartha Gautama (the historical Buddha Shakyamuni). The most common Bud- dha images in these Theravada Buddhist countries are seated images of Buddha Shakyamuni in bhumisparsha mudra. The gesture refers to the moment when Shakyamuni called the earth (Sanskrit: Prithvi) to witness his resolve.