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This Buddha image is in a standing posture on a lotus base.

 

  • Both arms hanging down at the sides of the body.

  • The palms of both hands are spread and facing forward, representing the gesture of "Opening the Worlds." 

  • In some variations, both palms are raised. This scene may also include Indra and Brahma positioned to the left and right, with Moggallana and Sariputra shown prostrating before Him.

 

The Origin of the gesture of "Opening the Worlds" 

Upon the completion of the three-month rain retreat during which the Lord Buddha ascended to preach to His mother, He descended from the Tavatimsa Heaven. The Buddha performed the Loka-vivarana-patihariya (The Miracle of Opening the Worlds), which revealed the three realms—the Heavenly realm, the Hell realm, and the Human realm—to one another through His divine power.

 

The deities in heaven could see humans and beings in hell; humans could see the deities and those in hell; and the beings in hell could see both humans and deities. After this, He gracefully descended from the Tavatimsa Heaven to the city of Sankassa on the day of Maha Pavarana (the 15th day of the waxing moon in the 11th lunar month).

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