Indonesia: Statue of Prajnaparamita personified, Singhasari, East Java, 12th - 13th century CE

Mahayana Buddhism took root in ancient Java at the Sailendra court in the 8th century CE. The Mahayana reverence for female Buddhist deities started with the cult of Tara enshrined in the 8th century Kalasan temple in Central Java. Some of Prajnaparamita's important functions and attributes can be traced to those of the goddess Tara. Tara and Prajnaparamita are both referred to as mothers of all Buddhas, since Buddhas are born from wisdom.

The statue of Prajnaparamita from Singhasari is probably the most famous depiction of the goddess of transcendental wisdom. It was discovered in almost perfect condition in the Cungkup Putri ruins near Singhasari temple, Malang, East Java. Local tradition links the statue to Queen Ken Dedes the first queen of Singhasari, probably as a deified portrayal of the queen. Another opinion links the statue with Queen Gayatri, the consort of Kertarajasa the first king of Majapahit. The statue was discovered in 1818 or 1819 by D. Monnereau, a Dutch East Indies official. Today the beautiful and serene statue is displayed on 2nd floor Gedung Arca, Indonesian National Museum, Jakarta.

Copyright:

Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

Gunkarta Gunawan Kartapranata (P

Credit:

Pictures From History