Reclining Buddha

Buddha in parinirvana, Gandhara art, 2nd or 3rd century

Reclining Buddha of Galvihara at Polonnaruwa (Sri Lanka, 12th century)

A reclining Buddha is a statue that represents Buddha lying down and is a major iconographic and statuary pattern of Buddhism. It represents the historical Buddha during his last illness, about to enter the parinirvana. He is lying on the right flank, his head resting on a cushion or relying on his right elbow, supporting his head with his hand.

This pattern seems to have emerged at the same time as other representations of the Buddha in the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara.

Notable examples

Reclining Buddha of the Hpo win caves

Burma:

• Winsein Tawya Buddha (Mawlamyaing) - 182.9 metres (600 ft)
• Thanboddhay Pagoda (Monywa) - 101 metres (331 ft)
• Myathalyaung Buddha (Bago) - 82 metres (269 ft)
• Lawka Tharahpu Buddha (Dawei) - 73.6 metres (241 ft)
• Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple (Yangon) - 66 metres (217 ft)
• Shwethalyaung Buddha (Bago) - 54.8 metres (180 ft)
• Manuha Temple (Bagan)
• Phowintaung, near Monywa

Cambodia:

• West side of the Baphuon in Angkor
• Monolithic Buddha of the Phnom Kulen (lying on his left side)

China

• Zhangye

Pakistan:

• Bhamala Buddha Parinirvana which is 1,800 years old, oldest in South Asia.

India:

• Cave #26 of Ajanta

Japan

• Nanzoin temple, in Fukuoka Prefecture.

Malaysia:

• Wat Chayamangkalaram in Penang
• Sam Poh Tong in Perak
• Wat Phothivihan in Tumpat, Kelantan

Sri Lanka:

• Dambulla
• Gal Vihara in Polonnaruwa (12th century)

Tajikistan:

• Buddha of Ajina-Tepa (13 meters long), on display in the National Museum in Dushanbe

Thailand:

• Wat Dhammachaksemaram (reclining Buddha of the 7th century in Dvaravati style coming from Muang Sema)
• Wat Lokaya Sutharam in Ayutthaya
• Wat Pho of Bangkok

External links

Media related to Reclining Buddha statues at Wikimedia Commons