Dambulla Cave 1: Reclining Buddha

SRI LANKA, Central Province, Matale; Anuradhapura Kingdom

This statue of the Buddha is located on the back wall of Dambulla Cave 1. Legend has it that the statue was built by King Valagamba (reigned 89–77 BCE) of Anuradhapura. The reclining Buddha’s head is covered with neat, black, curled hair. The round face features thin eyebrows that adjoin with the bridge of the nose, deep eyes, a prominent nose, and full lips. Draped over the thick torso is a monastic robe which leaves the right shoulder exposed. The robe’s dense folds follow the natural curves of the torso. The statue is painted in a golden color, while the soles of the feet are painted red and decorated with radiating patterns.
The red soles of the Buddha is a distinguishing feature of Sri Lankan sculpture. This commemorates two events: Sakyamuni Buddha setting foot in Sri Lanka to teach the Dharma, and the ancestors moving south from India after the Buddha’s parinirvana to establish a new country, their feet becoming stained by red soil during the journey.