Indian Buddha Statue - Antique Gandhara Style Bronze Teaching Buddha Statue - 35cm/14"

Indian Buddha Statue - Antique Gandhara Style Bronze Teaching Buddha Statue - 35cm/14"

Measures – (Height) 35cm/14”

An antique Gandhara-style Teaching Buddha, seated in the full lotus (padmasana) position with each foot placed upon the opposite thigh and the hands in dharmachakra, the “Turning of the Wheel of Dharma” mudra.

This much‑revered “Teaching Buddha” image is central in Buddhist art and doctrine, capturing the moment when the Buddha first expounded the Dharma to his companions at Deer Park in Sarnath after his enlightenment. Seated in deep meditative serenity, the Buddha’s body displays broad shoulders and a slender waist, wrapped in a sanghati robe worn diagonally over the left shoulder, with a heavily pleated flap cascading to the navel, while the right shoulder remains bare.

The face is finely modelled and oval in shape, with almond‑shaped, downcast eyes, gracefully arched brows meeting above a prominent nose, and softly contoured lips that form a gentle, exalted smile. A large ushnisha rises from the crown of the head, symbolising advanced spiritual attainment and reflecting the characteristic aesthetics of Gandharan art. The elongated earlobes recall his princely youth, when he wore heavy gold earrings, and a subtle urna or “third eye” on the forehead suggests the Buddha’s capacity to see beyond ordinary suffering.

Both hands are held before the chest in dharmachakra mudra—literally “Wheel of Dharma” in Sanskrit—signifying the setting in motion of the Buddha’s teaching. The thumb and index finger of each hand touch to form a circle, representing the Wheel of the Law and, on a deeper level, the union of method and wisdom. This gesture embodies one of the most important moments in the Buddha’s life and in Buddhist history: the first turning of the Wheel of Dharma.

The Buddha is seated upon a lotus pedestal, the lotus symbolising enlightenment and the flowering of pure awareness from the muddy waters of worldly existence. Just as the lotus rises unstained from the depths, this image suggests the possibility of transcending attachment and discovering inner clarity and joy. The robe falls in fluid, rhythmic folds from the left shoulder, enhancing the sense of calm dignity and quiet movement in the drapery.

The casting is particularly beautiful, evident in the crisp modelling of the fingers, toes and facial features—each detail rendered with precision and care. A rich, nuanced patina further enhances the sculpture, lending depth, character and a palpable sense of age. Traditional in appearance yet visually striking, this Gandhara‑style Teaching Buddha offers a serene and timeless focal point for any home, office or sacred space, inviting contemplation and a deeper connection with the Buddha’s path.

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