Walking Buddha

Sukhothai, 14-15c
National Museum, Bangkok

The "walking Buddha" is the best-known typological innovation of Sukhothai style. It depicts the Buddha descending from Trayastrimsha Heaven, after his sermon to the gods. His left hand is raised in abhaya mudra, while the left foot slightly preceeds the right. His boneless right arm follows the curve of torso and hip, rather than any notion of anatomical correctness. The body is soft, fleshily contoured, and surprisingly androgynous in presentation.