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Prajnaparamita
Statues
The Female Buddha Statue
Goddess of Transcendental Wisdom |
The Female Buddha's grace embodies the feminine
aspect of the supreme Buddha. Prajnaparamita is the Goddess of
Transcendental Wisdom. She is seen here sitting in the lotus position, with her
hands raised in a gesture symbolizing the turning of the Wheel of the Law.
Take a close look at her face: the serenity of her expression is in sharp
contrast to her richly decorated appearance. She is adorned with a vast array of
jewelry, including a caste cord, armlets, bracelets, finger and toe rings. The
Book of Wisdom rests on a lotus flower.
The Javanese also called this statue Princess Dedes (Putri Dedes). She was the
first queen of Singasari, from whom all kings of Singasari and Majapahit
descended. One of the ruined temples in the south of Candi Singasari was called
the Temple of the Princess, and it is thought that this statue may once have
been enshrined there.
Except perhaps for the fact that Putri Dedes was the daughter of a Buddhist
priest and an identification with the goddess Prajnaparamita would be highly
appropriate, we have no confirmation of the Javanese belief that this statue is
also of the princess.
She is similar in importance to Savioress and
Mother Goddess Tara. Allow her exquisite visual and inner message to enter your
domain.
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