Accession Number1993/2.37
TitleBuddha, seated in the ardha padmasana pose, in dhayana mudra, sheltered by Mucalinda (Lopburi style)
Artist(s)ThaiObject Creation Date12th centuryMedium & Supportsandstone with traces of polychromyDimensions 18 1/8 x 12 5/8 x 9 7/8 in. (46 x 32 x 25 cm)
Credit LineGift of John Adams Thierry in memory of Louis Sidney ThierrySubject matterThe Buddha, sheltered by the Naga king Mucalinda: a scene from the life of historical Buddha. When the Buddha-to-be sat down under a Bo tree in Bodh Gaya to meditate for a period of 49 days, a great storm arose, but his concentration was unbroken. To keep him safe from the flood and the driving rain, the Naga (serpent) king Mucalinda coiled his body to life him above the waters, and spread his cobra hood to provide shelter. Images of Buddha sheltered by Mucalinda are common in peninsular Southeast Asia, where snakes were tradiionally revered as fertility symbols.
Primary Object ClassificationSculptureCollection AreaAsianRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
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Keywords
Buddhas (visual works)
Buddhism
damage