Reclining Buddha
A reclining Buddha is an image that represents Buddha lying down and is a major iconographic theme in Buddhist art. It represents the historical Buddha during his last illness, about to enter the parinirvana. He is lying on his right side, 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.
In Thai art
For Thai Buddha attitudes, the reclining Buddha can refer to three different episodes, whilst the attribute of each remains unclear.- Nirvana attitude
- Teaching the Rahu Asurin attitude
- Sleeping attitude
Notable examples
Burma:- Win Sein Tawya Buddha -
- Thanboddhay Pagoda -
- Myathalyaung Buddha -
- Lawka Tharahpu Buddha -
- Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple -
- Shwethalyaung Buddha -
- Manuha Temple
- Phowintaung, near Monywa
- West side of the Baphuon in Angkor
- Monolithic Buddha of the Phnom Kulen
- Golden gilded Buddha on Sambok Mountain in Kratié Province
Pakistan:
- Bhamala Stupa contains a statue carbon dated to be 1,800 years old, making it the oldest reclining Buddha in the world.
- Cave #26 of Ajanta
- Maha Vihara Mojopahit, Trowulan, East Java.
- Kongōbu-ji at Mount Kōya.
- Nanzo-in, in Fukuoka Prefecture -
Malaysia:
- Wat Chayamangkalaram in Pulau Tikus, Penang
- Sam Poh Tong Temple in Ipoh, Perak
- Wat Phothivihan in Tumpat, Kelantan
Tajikistan:
- Buddha in Nirvana of Ajina-Tepa, on display in the National Museum in Dushanbe
- Wat Dhammachaksemaram in Nakhon Ratchasima - the reclining Buddha of the 7th century in Dvaravati style coming from Muang Sema
- Wat Khun Inthapramun in Ang Thong - an ancient temple that was constructed during the Sukhothai period
- Wat Lokkayasutha in Ayutthaya- the biggest reclining Buddha in Ayuttaya
- Wat Pa Mok Worawihan in Ang Thong - The reclining Buddha image was constructed during the Sukhothai period
- Wat Pho of Bangkok -
- Wat Phra Kaeo in Kamphaeng Phet
- Wat Phra Si Iriyabot in Kamphaeng Phet The 15th century temple with Buddha statues in four postures-walking, sitting, standing and reclining in the Sukhothai artistic style
- Wat Wichian Bamrung in Phetchabun -
- Wat Thai Wattanaram in Mae Sot− 60 metres
Vietnam: