Buddha Statues & Gestures: April Exhibition at Skiptvet Library
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Featuring: The Buddha Victory Over Māra ( Māravijaya mudrā) — A symbol of the definitive moment of spiritual triumph and unshakeable resolve.
Following our exploration of "The Architecture of Wisdom" in March, Skiptvet Buddhist Monastery and Skiptvet Library are honoured to continue our journey through Buddhist art and symbolism.
For April, we present a feature on one of the most iconic depictions in Buddhist art: The Buddha Subduing Māra (Māravijaya Mudrā). Commonly chosen as the principal Buddha image (Phra Prathan) for the main chapel (Uposatha hall), this posture captures the definitive moment of spiritual triumph and unshakeable resolve.
Understanding the Gesture: Māravijaya
The Anatomy of the Buddha Victory over Māra
The Posture: The Buddha is seated in a stable, cross-legged meditation position, representing a heart that remains centered even amidst the greatest storms.
The Hands:
Left Hand: Placed face-up on the lap, symbolizing the inner peace and receptive stillness of meditation.
Right Hand: Rests over the right knee, with the fingers pointing down to touch the earth. This is the "Earth-Witness" gesture, calling upon the ground itself to testify to the truth.
The Story Behind the Victory
The Dawn of Enlightenment
This posture commemorates the dramatic events beneath the Bodhi Tree. As the Bodhisattva sat upon the "Jeweled Throne," he was confronted by Māra—the personification of temptation and delusion.
Riding an elephant 150 yojanas tall and leading a demonic army that darkened the sky, Mara unleashed a whirlwind of weapons and illusions to break the Bodhisattva’s concentration. Yet, through the power of his accumulated merit, the weapons were transformed into falling flower garlands.
The Earth as Witness
When Mara claimed the Bodhisattva’s seat for himself, the Buddha did not argue; he simply reached down and touched the earth. In response, Mother Earth (Phra Thorani) appeared, squeezing the "water of dedication" from her hair—the symbolic essence of all the acts of generosity the Buddha had performed over countless lifetimes.
The resulting flood washed away Mara’s forces, signifying that the path to peace is built on a foundation of long-nurtured virtue.
Inner Strength
The Māravijaya posture reminds us that the Dhamma is our ultimate protection. It suggests that when we face our own "inner demons"—fear, anger, or doubt—we can find stability by grounding ourselves in the truth and the quiet power of our own good intentions.nature of life.
Featured Statues This Month
For this month’s exhibition, we are pleased to feature three distinct statues representing this mudrā. The two important one are:
Phra Singh Mueang Fang: A significant replica generously on loan from the Cultural History Museum, University of Oslo
Phra Singh mueang Fang, 1568, Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo/Lill-Ann Chepstow-Lusty The "Black Buddha" of Nalanda: This is a replica of the famous Teliya Baba found at the Nalanda University ruins in Bihar, India. The name "Teliya" is derived from the local word for oil (Tel), reflecting a centuries-old tradition of devotees offering coconut or mustard oil to the image.
The "Black Buddha" of Nalanda
The Stone's Transformation: Crafted from the same black basalt as the original, the stone possesses a natural grey-green hue. Over time, it has taken on a deep black sheen from the oil applied by generations of devotees as an act of merit and respect. This ritual coating is believed by locals to have healing properties and symbolizes the cooling, soothing nature of the Buddha's teachings.
A Special Invitation Unlike many museum pieces, we warmly invite you to touch the Black Buddha statue, connecting personally with the tactile history and devotion it represents.
📍 Location: Skiptvet Library, Storveien 31A, 1816 Skiptvet
📅 Date: 1 – 30 April 2026 13 – 25 April 2026 A repica of Phra Singh mueang Fang. 25 – 30 Apriol 2026 A replica of the "Black Buddha" of Nalanda.
🕒 Opening Hours*:
Monday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Tuesday: 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wednesday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Thursday: 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sunday: Closed
Join us to explore the deep symbolism and peace behind these sacred gestures.
*Please visit the Skiptvet Library website for the latest updates.
