Toluvila Buddha Statue

Toluvila Buddha Statue is a seated Buddha statue that was discovered in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka in the early 20th century. It is believed that the statue dates back to the 4th or 5th century. Although the statue is quite similar to that of the Samadhi Buddha Statue of Anuradhapura, this Buddha statue is recorded to be smaller in size.

At present context, Toluvila Buddha statue is preserved and displayed to the public at the National Museum of Colombo.

Historical accounts of the Toluvila Buddha Statue

The archaeological excavation project lead by archaeologist Harry Charles Purvis Bell in the village of Toluvila in Anuradhapura in the early 20th century led to the discovery of one of the best examples of the ancient Sri Lankan sculpting art, Toluvila Buddha Statue. Therefore, this Buddha statue got its name from the location where it had been discovered. By observing closely and with some research, the historians believed that the Toluvila Buddha statue was constructed during the latter part of the Anuradhapura period.

The statue was then taken to the National Museum of Colombo for the preservation of the best historical artifact as commented by the archaeologist Harry Charles Purvis Bell. The museum also commented to this Buddhist art as the most significant sculpture of ancient Sri Lanka. At present context, Toluvila Buddha statue is displayed directly in front of the main entrance to the building.

Iconography and characteristics of Toluvila Buddha statue

Almost every art lovers and Buddhist followers believed that the Toluvila Buddha statue is one of the best examples of the ancient Sri Lankan Sculpting art other that Samadhi statue in Anuradhapura. The Buddha statue is carved out of a single block of granite. As for the appearance, the Buddha statue has a close resemblance to the Samadhi statue but is slightly smaller. Regarding the height of the statue, this Toluvila Buddha statue has a height of 5 ft. 9 inch which is around 1.75 meter. The distance between the shoulders is 3 ft. 5 inches while the knees are 5 ft. 9 inches apart.

The Buddha statue is portrayed in the seating posture, in the Dhyana Aasan with the back side of the right foot facing upward while left foot just below the right leg, on the pedestal. In Anuradhapura, this seating posture is popularly known as Weerasana. The hands of the statue is portrayed in the Dhayana mudra.

In Dhyana mudra, both the hands are placed on the lap with the palm facing upward. The right hand is typically placed above the left hand with fingers fully stretched. The four fingers of right-hand rest on the fingers of the left hand. The tip of both thumbs touches each other, forming the shape of a triangle with hands, thumbs and the fingers. This triangle shape is taken as a symbolic representation of the spiritual fire or the Triratna or the three jewels - the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. This Dhyana mudra is also known as Samadhi mudra or Yoga mudra. In Japan, this hand mudra is known as Jo-in or Jokai Jo-in while in China, it is known as Ding Yin.

It has been recorded that the Buddha statues from the same period have elongated earlobes, but the Toluvila Buddha statues don't confirm this feature. It has short earlobes. But the Ushnisha in the head of the Buddha is present. The Buddha statue has another unusual feature in the neck. It is observed that there are three lines carved in the front of the neck. This carving is believed to be influenced by the Mathura School of art.

Note: Apart from maintaining the blog on Buddha and Buddhism, we also manage huge collection of various period and regional Buddhist arts in our Buddha shop in the Netherlands and also showcased it in our online Buddha statues gallery. Please feel free to visit and know more about the Buddha statues.

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