Votive Panel - Antique Thai Style Bronze Walking Buddha Votive Panel - 16cm/6"

Votive Panel - Antique Thai Style Bronze Walking Buddha Votive Panel - 16cm/6"

Measures (Height) 16cm/6"

A beautiful antique Thai style votive panel, displaying a walking Buddha in 14th century Sukhothai style. 

Votive panels in Buddhism hold deep spiritual and cultural significance, serving as expressions of devotion, gratitude, and the aspiration for enlightenment. These panels, often found in temples, monasteries, caves, and shrines, are created as offerings by devotees or patrons and feature intricate depictions of the Buddha, bodhisattvas, or scenes from Buddhist teachings.

They play an essential role in Buddhist ritual practice and art, embodying the intersection of devotion and artistic expression while reflecting key aspects of Buddhist beliefs about merit-making, karma, and spiritual progress.

The Walking Buddha, depicted on this Votive panel, represents the Buddha engaged in walking meditation (kinhin in Zen Buddhism), a practice integral to the Buddhist path. Walking meditation is a deliberate and mindful practice that involves walking slowly and attentively, being fully present in each step. It is a method of cultivating mindfulness, concentration, and insight.

The Walking Buddha also embodies a sense of dynamic equanimity, signifying that enlightenment is not limited to stillness but can be realized in the midst of life's activities. It reflects the idea that one can attain spiritual awakening and maintain mindfulness while engaging in daily routines and responsibilities.

The balanced posture of the Walking Buddha symbolizes the middle path, a core concept in Buddhism. It teaches the importance of avoiding extremes and finding harmony in all aspects of life. 

The act of walking itself is a reminder of the impermanent nature of existence. Each step taken by the Walking Buddha signifies the continuous cycle of change and the impermanence of all things, a fundamental teaching in Buddhism.

Votive panels or plaques, such as this, were produced as holy souvenirs for pilgrims as mementos or to be deposited by devotees at sacred shrines or caves.

One of the primary purposes of votive panels in Buddhism is merit-making, the practice of performing good deeds to accumulate positive karma, which is believed to lead to better rebirths and eventual liberation from the cycle of samsara (the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth). In Buddhist thought, acts of devotion, including the creation and offering of votive panels, are seen as ways to purify the mind, cultivate virtue, and generate spiritual merit.

Thai style plaques have been found in temples across Southeast Asia, either made in the Thai style or brought there by pilgrims as offerings.

The Buddhas that form the background of the Panel have comprehended the totality of existence. By extension, each small-Buddha image represents the entirety of the Buddha's message. Such objects are ideal for miniaturization and transport.

Votive panels in Buddhism are more than just artistic representations of religious figures or symbols—they are tangible expressions of faith, devotion, and the desire for spiritual progress. By creating and offering votive panels, devotees participate in the practice of merit-making, seek protection and blessings, and commemorate significant moments in their spiritual journeys.

Throughout history, votive panels have served as bridges between the physical and spiritual worlds, embodying the Buddhist ideals of compassion, wisdom, and enlightenment.

Whether found in ancient cave temples, modern shrines, or personal altars, votive panels continue to play a vital role in the devotional life of Buddhists, offering a timeless reminder of the power of faith, art, and spiritual aspiration.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEE - We have been offering SE Asian Art for many years and are proud of the reputation we have developed for fair and honest listings. However, if for any reason, whatsoever, you are unhappy with your purchase please just let us know and we will provide a full refund. We want you to be 100% happy with your purchase.