Buddha Statues & Gestures: May Exhibition at Skiptvet Library
- Apr 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 24
Featuring: The Buddha seated in a Medition gesture /Enlightenment gesture (dhayana mudra) — A symbol of 'awakening,' or the discovery of the ultimate truth of nature that has been shrouded by defilements and delusion (ignorance).
Upon the Buddha’s victory over Mara, he marked the definitive moment of spiritual triumph and unshakeable resolve. In the month of May—the month of Vesak, which commemorates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing (Parinirbāna) —Skiptvet Buddhist Monastery and Skiptvet Library are pleased to invite you to continue your journey into the world of Buddhist art and symbolism.
For this month of May, we present a Buddha image in the Meditation Posture, also known as the Enlightenment Posture (Dhyāna Mudra). This is a symbol of 'awakening' or the discovery of the ultimate truth of nature, which is often shrouded by defilements and delusion—namely ignorance, false knowledge, and knowledge that does not lead to the end of suffering (Avijjā)."
The Meditation Posture (Samadhi / The Enlightenment)
Iconographic Characteristics:
The Buddha image is in a seated position, cross-legged in the "flat" meditation style.
Hands: Both hands rest palms upward on the lap, with the right hand placed over the left hand.
Legs: The right leg is placed over the left leg.
Origin of the Meditation Posture and Enlightenment
After the Bodhisattva attained victory over Mara, he continued to practice deep meditation until his mind became firm, pure, and radiant. He then attained the supreme wisdom known as "Enlightenment" on the night of the full moon of the 6th lunar month at Bodh Gaya, India. He realized the following stages of higher knowledge (Nāṇa) in sequence:
First Watch (Evening): Attained Pubbenivasanussati-ñāṇa Remembrance of Past Lives.
Middle Watch (Midnight): Attained Cutupapata-ñāṇa Divine Eye – the knowledge of the death and rebirth of beings according to their Karma.
Final Watch (Dawn): Attained Asavakkhaya-ñāṇa Knowledge of the Destruction of Mental Impurities.
Featured Statues This Month
For this month’s exhibition, we are pleased to feature three distinct statues representing this mudrā.
A Meditation Buddha image in the Kandy style of Sri Lanka. The flame-like topknot (ushnisha) symbolizes the wisdom of enlightenment, while the lotus base symbolizes purity. (Right)
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A Northern Thai-style Buddha image in the meditation posture, featuring the 'Diamond Lotus' position (cross-legged) and carved from black marble. (Left)
📍 Location: Skiptvet Library, Storveien 31A, 1816 Skiptvet
📅 Date: 1 – 10 April 2026 Glass Buddha.
11 – 20 April 2026 Sri Lankan stlye Buddha.
21 – 31 April 2026 Stone Northen Thai-style Buddha.
🕒 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.
What did the Buddha "Realize"?
The core of Enlightenment is the discovery of the interconnected truths of nature:
Paticcasamuppada (Dependent Origination):
He realized the process of the arising and cessation of suffering. He saw that all things do not arise by chance but through a chain of causes and effects (e.g., due to Ignorance, there is Craving; due to Craving, there is Rebirth and Suffering). If the cause is extinguished, the effect is also extinguished.
The Four Noble Truths (Ariya-sacca)
He summarized the Truth into four principles as a framework for solving the problems of life:
Dukkha: The truth of suffering (The problem).
Samudaya: The truth of the cause of suffering (The cause—Craving/Desire).
Nirodha: The truth of the end of suffering (The goal—Cessation of the problem).
Magga: The truth of the path leading to the end of suffering (The method/Action plan).
The Noble Eightfold Path (Ariya-magga)
The practical method to break the cycle of Dependent Origination and fulfill the Fourth Noble Truth. It consists of Right View, Right Resolve, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration (summarized as Morality, Concentration, and Wisdom).
The Threefold Training (Tri-Sikkhā)
In this context, the word "Right" refers to that which is correct, sufficient, and appropriate. The Eightfold Path can be categorized into the Threefold Training (Morality, Concentration, and Wisdom) for easier understanding as follows:
Wisdom Category (Pañña):
Right View: Understanding the truth of the world and life.
Right Resolve: Thoughts free from ill-will and harm.
Morality Category (Sīla):
Right Speech: Abstaining from lying and divisive speech.
Right Action: Abstaining from harming living beings or stealing.
Right Livelihood: Earning a living in a way that does not harm others.
Concentration Category (Samādhi):
Right Effort: The persistent will to prevent and abandon evil.
Right Mindfulness: Constant awareness of the body and mind.
Right Concentration: The mental focus required for deep meditation.
Conclusion
Enlightenment is the moment the Buddha utilized the law of Dependent Origination to master the mechanics of life. This realization was summarized into the Four Noble Truths, and he established the Eightfold Path as the practical roadmap for humanity to extinguish suffering just as he did.
Key Event: He attained the Supreme Enlightenment at dawn, precisely on the 15th day of the waxing moon of the 6th lunar month (Vesak Day). Today, this sacred site is the Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar,
