Standing Buddha

LAOS

The Buddha’s usnisa includes a tall flame ornament. The earlobes are exaggeratedly long, reaching almost the length of the neck. Broad shoulders contrast with an artificially high, slim waist, although this is partially disguised by the deep fall of the monastic robe over the raised arms on either side. An ornamental belt secures the lower robe with a central fold decorated with foliar patterns.
The hands have slender fingers and both are raised to shoulder height in the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra. The pose also refers to the story of how the Buddha quelled the Nairanjana River in flood while visiting the Kasyapa brothers early in his ministry. The Kasyapa brothers and their 1,000 followers who witnessed the incident converted to Buddhism.