ketumati Maitreya
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Definition[1]
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| Description | Historically, Nepal consisted of a much smaller region than the modern nation, which was formed during the 18th century, encompasses today. It included only the section known as the Kathmandu Valley and a few outlying areas. Nepali art was created by artists of Newari descent working within this limited geographic area; this was responsible for a certain conservatism and consistency in Nepali sculpture. Yet, because of Nepal's critical location--linking north and east India with other nations of the Himalayas such as Tibet--there are also mutual influences between Nepali art and that of other styles found throughout the Himalayan region.The slightly elongated proportions and exaggerated treatment of the edges and hems of the robe date this seated Buddha to the 11th or 12th century. The combination of monastic robes, pendant legs, and the gesture of preaching (dharmachakramūdra) indicates that this sculpture represents Maitreya in his role of earthly Buddha of the next age. Maitreya's position in the Buddhist pantheon is unique because he is worshipped both as a bodhisattva in this age and as the Buddha of the next. As a bodhisattva, he presides over the Tushita Pure Land; as a Buddha he rules over the Ketumati Pure Land, an earthly paradise sometimes associated with the Indian city of Banaras in Uttar Pradesh.The cult of Maitreya is somewhat messianic, for it is believed that his rebirth as the Buddha will herald a utopian age in which the circumstances of a devotee's daily life will be more conducive to achieving enlightenment. As a result, devotees sometimes pray for rebirth in the Tushita Pure Land to await rebirth in Ketumati. |
| Creator | Nepalese, Asian, Indian Sub-Continent, Nepalese |
| Museum | Asia Society Museum, New York, New York, USA. 1983.001 Asia Society: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Acquisitions Fund |
| Beginning Date | 1000 |
| Ending Date | 1199 |
| Date | Transitional period, 11th-12th century |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Format (Medium) | Copper alloy with copper overlay, traces of gilding, and trace of blue pigment |
| Format (Extent) | H. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm) |
| Identifier | CAMIO: ASIA.1983.001 |
| Coverage | Nepal |
| Rights | Licensed for non-commercial, educational use. http://www.asiasociety.org/ |
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Related
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ketumbarāga , ketuvant , kevaddha , kevala , kevalakappa , ketumatī , ketumantu , ketumā , ketuṃ , ketukamyatā
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