PM Modi gifts sandalwood Buddha statue to Japanese PM Fumio Kishida

The Buddha figure, made of pure sandalwood, has hand carvings along with traditional designs and natural scenes, officials said. In this posture, Buddha is sitting in ‘dhyana mudra’ under the Bodhi tree. The ‘dhyana mudra’ is the mudra of meditation and the attainment of spiritual perfection.

According to tradition, this mudra derives from the one assumed by the Buddha when meditating under the Bodhi tree before his enlightenment. The obverse of the image has an intricate carving of the Bodhi tree, officials said.

The Kadamwood Jali Box in which the statue was encased is also considered auspicious in Indian culture. Imprints of birds and animals, the leitmotif of Indian art for countless generations, add a special quality to the final product, officials said.

The Buddha figure has been hand-carved with traditional designs. Express

The art of sandalwood carving is an exquisite and ancient craft that has been practised in Karnataka for centuries. It involves carving intricate designs into blocks of fragrant sandalwood and creating intricate sculptures, figurines, and other decorative items.

The sandalwood tree, a species native to India, has been an important part of Indian culture for centuries and is widely regarded as one of the most valuable and prized woods in the world.

Indian Sandalwood is one of the most sacred herbs of Ayurveda.

Karnataka is sometimes also called ‘gandhada gudi’ or the land of sandalwood. The art of sandalwood carving has been an integral part of Karnataka’s cultural heritage for centuries. Its earliest origins can be traced back to the 3rd century B.C. when sandalwood was used to make wooden idols and carvings for temples and other religious sites.

The state has also set up a Sandalwood Development Board to ensure that the resources are sustainably managed. The art has been passed down from generation to generation, and it continues to thrive in Karnataka today.

The image of Buddha holds great significance in Indian culture and religion, and sandalwood carving has long been used to create intricate representations of this revered figure. Sandalwood carvings of Buddha are highly valued by collectors and spiritual seekers alike.

Buddhism is among the most dominant religions in Japan. India has been building on Buddhist ties with several South Asian countries through spiritual tourism offerings and craft traditions, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, South Korea and Cambodia, besides Japan and China.