Ancient Buddha Images In Mahabodhi Temple - Bodhgaya

The small enshrine hall inside the Mahabodhi Temple is always packed with pilgrims. Many people spending long hours lining up at the door way leading from the central path are to pay homage to the colossal image of a seated Buddha housed in the sanctum shrine of the temple hall. The Buddha Image was in a Earth-witness Mudra with right hand touching the earth, the gesture of asking the earth to witness when he accomplished supreme and perfect insights.



The image of Lord Buddha was made of black stone but gilded in gold and covered up with either bright orange or yellow or golden brown robes, offered by Buddhist devotees.



The beautiful robe that the monk was putting on the Buddha statue inside the Mahabodhi Temple, was offered by our family and two of our Dharma friends. Appreciation and Sadhu to our daughter, Dr Abby Ho and her Thai friend who spent so much time and put on so much effort to coordinate between the capitals of three countries, (DC Washington, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur), overcame all troubles and got the robes done and safely sent to us on time to do this meritorious deed.



The shrine hall originally housed a gilded stucco figure earlier, enshrined by some Burmese worshipers decades ago. It was replaced by the present seated Buddha Image in year 1880 by Sir Alexander Cunningham who was then in charge of the excavation and restoration of Mahabodhi temple. The Statue was said to be made by Pala Kings in 8th century but some believed that it has a history of about 1700 years.



Image of Buddha in Mahabodhi Temple faced east exactly at the place where Lord Buddha sitting with his back to the Bodhi Tree, in meditation and attained enlightenment.



These four statues of Buddha in small shrine chambers with small towers on top, are found at the four corners of the parapet of Mahabodhi Temple. Buddha Images look as if Brahmin deities. They are most probably installed by 16th century when the temple site was under the control of Hindu Mahant Gosain Giri.



The interesting collection of Buddha Images at the 2nd level base of Mahabodhi Temple.