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Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.

Buddha in Meditation

Central Myanmar

6th century

Not on view

This sculpture is the most complete surviving Buddha from the ancient city of Sri Ksetra, and it bears the longest Sanskrit inscription discovered there. It was excavated from the foundations of a large stupa. The Buddha seated in meditation is reminiscent of Buddha imagery from Sri Lanka, a center of Buddhist learning throughout the first millennium. The use of Sanskrit along with Pyu in the inscription suggests strong connections with northern Indian Buddhism, and the script has its closest parallels in a newly deciphered copperplate inscription from eastern Bengal (Bangladesh) dated 502.

cat. no. 41

Buddha in Meditation, Sandstone, Central Myanmar — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Buddha in Meditation, Sandstone, Central Myanmar

Buddha in Meditation, Sandstone, Central Myanmar

Buddha in Meditation, Sandstone, Central Myanmar

Buddha in Meditation, Sandstone, Central Myanmar

Buddha in Meditation, Sandstone, Central Myanmar

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Buddha in Meditation

Date: 6th century

Culture: Central Myanmar

Medium: Sandstone

Dimensions: H. 22 7/16 in. (57 cm); W. 20 1/4 in. (51.5 cm); D. 7 7/8 in. (20 cm); Weight 184 lbs. (83.5 kg)

Classification: Sculpture

Credit Line: Lent by Thiri Khittaya (Śrī Ksetra) Archaeological Museum, Myanmar (1927–28/2/41)

The Met

Asian Art at The Met

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world.