Primary Source

Buddha Sheltered by a Naga

  • Bronze sculpture of Buddha sitting under a tree

Annotation

This sculpture is of the serpent king Muchilinda protecting Buddha, popular in the 12th century Khmer Kingdom, and would have been seen in the travels of Chinese explorers in Southeast Asia and may have been brought with them on the travels to show the importance of healing throughout the kingdom. It shows the important role of Buddhism in this part of Asia.

Buddha Sheltered by a Naga, 12th century

Credits

Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Cynthia Hazen Polsky, 1987

How to Cite This Source
Buddha Sheltered by a Naga in World History Commons,
Tags
Culture Trade Religion Post-Classical (500 CE - 1450 CE) Asia Artifacts and Objects