Peam Cheang: Buddha Protected by Mucalinda
Sandstone
Peam Cheang: Buddha Protected by Mucalinda
CAMBODIA, Kampong Cham, Peam Cheang
The story of how the Naga King, Mucalinda, sheltered the Buddha from a storm with its hood became popular during the 11th century of the Khmer Empire (circa 9th–15th century). The Buddha in this sculpture is seated in half lotus position on the triple coils of the naga’s body with hands in the dhyana (meditation) mudra. Seven naga heads carved with Dharma wheels and scale-like patterns form a rippling, petal-shaped canopy about the Buddha’s head.
The Buddha’s features are those typically found on statues from the region, with outlined eyes, a broad nose, and a thick-lipped mouth. The usnisa is built into four tiers and decorated with lotus petals. A tightly fitting monastic robe exposes the outline of the body.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture N-Sr, page 808.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Lovelock, Yann and Chou, Yuan and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture N-Sr},
pages = 808,
title = {{Peam Cheang: Buddha Protected by Mucalinda}},
volume = 12,
year = {2016}}