Tayok Pye Temple: Standing Buddha

MYANMAR, Mandalay, Bagan; Bagan Empire

Situated on the left side of the east wall of Tayok Pye Temple, this mural depicts Sakyamuni Buddha standing beside the Bodhi tree. After he attained enlightenment sitting beneath the Bodhi tree, it is said that the Buddha remained there for seven weeks, experiencing the bliss of liberation and deciding whether to teach the Dharma to others. During the second week, he stood beside the Bodhi tree, gazing at it with reverence. In Myanmar, depictions of standing Buddhas are quite prevalent and follow a fairly consistent style. Sakyamuni has his head lowered as if in meditation and forms a mudra in front of his chest with his left hand. A green aureole surrounds the body, and a petal shaped nimbus surrounds the head. Both are contained within a white aureole. Apsaras are painted on the left; part of the Bodhi tree is visible on the right. Scrolling leaf patterns fill the background. The mural exemplifies the vivid, stylized painting style of the Bagan Empire.