kweejibo stories, January 2013: Buddha of Southeast Asia, Including Cambodia, Musée Guimet, Paris

The above statue originates from the temple Preah Khan, also built in 1191 by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII, and dedicated to his father Dharanindravarman II, and to Avalokitesvara.

Preah Khan was also built at the site of Jayavarman's victory over the invading Chams.

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Foreground : stone sculpture of Jayarājadevī,

first wife of great Khmer King Jayavarman VII (1181-1218?).

The Queen Jayarājadevī is represented in the likeness of the Mahāyāna Buddhist Goddess Prajñāpāramitā or Tārā.

Prajñāpāramitā signifies "the Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom"...

At the death of Jayarājadevī, Jayavarman VII married her sister Indradevī, who is also supposed to have inspired him in his devotion to Mahāyāna Buddhism.

Mahāyāna Buddhism, the most popular tradition throughout Asia to date, includes the worship of the various bodhisattvas.

In the background of the photo, is Buddha, protected by the Nāga, the Serpent King... in the Bayon style, Cambodia.

Buddha, Post-Bayon in style, either fourteenth or fifteenth century, after Jayavarman VII's time. Found at Preah Palilay (Angkor Thom), Cambodia.

Buddha, Post-Angkor in style, Cambodia, either fifteenth or sixteenth century. Wood, possibly lacquered and gilded.

Buddha, in bronze, Thailand, Style Ayutthaya, fifteenth or sixteenth century

Buddha, lacquered and gilded wood, Burma, style post-Pagan, fourteenth century

Buddha Maravijaya, lacquered and gilded wood, Burma, style Shan, eighteenth or nineteenth century

Buddha Maravijaya : ‘Buddha calling the Earth to Witness', which since the 15th century has been known as Buddha Maravijaya, Buddha overcoming Mara, the prince of Dark: such pose and position of the hands represent one of the episodes from the life of Buddha, when, deep in meditation and challenged by the wicked Mara, he touched the earth with the fingers of his right hand, calling upon Mother Earth to witness his evolutionary right to enlightenment; Mara was overcome--State Hermitage Museum, 2011

Buddha Maravijaya, bronze, Burma, style Shan, nineteenth century

All photos taken at Musée Guimet, Paris.

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Buddha of Southeast Asia, Including Cambodia, Musée Guimet, Paris