Reco Lanang Buddha

INDONESIA, East Java, Mojokerto

This statue is locally known as Reco Lanang and when discovered, it was completely covered by moss. The figure was moved to the roadside and enshrined after it was cleaned. Many incomplete stone sculptures were also found strewn within a few hundred m of each other around the area where this statue was discovered. Experts suggest the statue is of King Kertanegara (reigned 1268–1292) of Singhasari, who practiced Vajrayana Buddhism and was believed to be a manifestation of Aksobhya Buddha. The sculpture was left unfinished when he died in a rebellion in 1292.
Certain details are discernible despite being incomplete, such as the conical usnisa, downcast eyes and wide nose. The right hand is in Aksobhya’s bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra. The figure is well-respected and a celebration takes place before it every year on Buddha Day.