| Prajñāpāramitā | |
|---|---|
 Prajñāpāramitā statue from East Java. | |
| Material | Andesite stone |
| Size | Height 126 cm, Width 50 cm |
| Created | circa 13th century |
| Discovered | Cungkup Putri, nearSinghasari temple,Malang,East Java, Indonesia (1818) |
| Present location | National Museum of Indonesia,Jakarta |
Prajñāpāramitā of Java refers to a famousdepiction ofBodhisattvaPrajñāpāramitā Devi, originating from 13th centurySinghasari,East Java, Indonesia.[1] The statue is of great aesthetic and historical value, and is considered to be a masterpiece of classical Hindu-Buddhist art of ancient Java.[2] Today, the statue is in the collection of theNational Museum of Indonesia,Jakarta.
The statue of Prajnaparamita of East Java is probably the most famous depiction of the goddess of transcendental wisdom. The serene expression and meditative pose and gesture suggest peace and wisdom, in contrast with her rich and intricate jewelry and decorations. The goddess is in a perfect lotus meditative position calledvajrasana posture, sitting on a double lotus cushion calledpadmasana (lotus pedestal) on top of a square base.[1] The statue sits before a carved stela. The statue is made of light gray andesite stone measuring a height of 126 cm (50 in), width 55 cm (22 in) and thickness 55 cm (22 in).[3]
The goddess performsdharmachakra-mudra (themudra symbolizing turning the wheel of dharma).[1] Her left arm is placed around anutpala (blue lotus), on top of which sits her attribute: the lontar palm leaf bookPrajnaparamita Sutra. The head and face are perfectly chiseled, with downcast eyes and foreheadurna. The goddess wears her hair high, arranged in aJatamakuta crown. Behind her head radiatesprabhamandala, ahalo oraura of light to suggest adivinity that has reached the highest wisdom.[4]
The statue was discovered in almost perfect condition in theCungkup Putri ruins nearSinghasari temple,Malang,East Java. Local tradition links the statue to QueenKen Dedes the first queen of Singhasari, probably as a deified portrayal of the queen.[1] Another opinion links the statue with QueenGayatri Rajapatni, the consort ofKertarajasa the first king ofMajapahit.[2][5]
Prajnaparamita is a goddess of high standing in Mahayana Tantric Buddhism. She is considered theshakti, or consort, of the highest Buddha in the Buddhist pantheon known asVajradhara. She symbolises perfect knowledge.[1]
In the 13th century, tantric Buddhism gained royal patronage of kingKertanegara ofSinghasari, and thereafter some of Prajnaparamita statues were produced in the region, such as the Prajnaparamita of Singhasari in East Java and Prajnaparamita ofJambi,Sumatra. Both the East Java and Jambi Prajnaparamitas works bear resemblance in style as they were produced in same period. However, Prajnaparamita of Jambi is headless and was discovered in overall poor condition.[6]
On the other hand, the Prajnaparamita of Singhasari was discovered in almost perfect condition. The pristine condition of the statue indicates that it was buried for quite some time. It was found near Candi E, the southernmost structure in the temple complex nearSinghasari temple. The structure is called Candi Wayang or Cungkup Putri by local inhabitants.[4]
The Prajnaparamita of Java was discovered in 1818 or 1819 by D. Monnereau, aDutch East Indies official. In 1820 Monnereau gave the statue toC.G.C. Reinwardt, who later brought the statue to theNetherlands, where it became a prized possession of theRijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde inLeiden.[2] For more than 158 years the statue resided in Leiden, the Netherlands.
In January 1978, the Government of the Netherlands returned the statue to the Republic of Indonesia, whenQueen Juliana of the Netherlands visited the former Dutch colony. Today, the statue is held in theNational Museum of Indonesia inJakarta. The statue is now[when?] displayed on the 4th floor of the new of Gedung Arca wing. It has become perhaps the best known icon of ancient Indonesian art, as one of the rare images that successfully combines aesthetic perfection and spirituality.[7]
