Veheragala Sirisangabo Vihara: Seated Buddha

SRI LANKA, North Central Province, Anuradhapura

This seated Buddha was excavated from the ruins of Veheragala Sirisangabo Vihara. The statue is gilded and shows traces of red paint. The figure has curly hair topped with a flame ornament that represents the radiance of the Buddha’s wisdom, a common embellishment in Sri Lanka. The figure wears a monastic robe that leaves the right shoulder bare and is covered with varying lines of folds. The Buddha is seated in half lotus position upon a double lotus throne with hands in the dhyana (meditation) mudra. The overlapping legs are almost parallel to the edges of the throne, giving a sense of balance. The figure’s rigid posture emphasizes the Buddha’s commanding presence in a manner typical of Sri Lankan statues.