---
title: Buddha in the Attitude of the Victory over Mara
author: James Blake Wiener
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7928/buddha-in-the-attitude-of-the-victory-over-mara/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Buddha in the Attitude of the Victory over Mara

_Authored by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/)_

## Image File

[![Buddha in the Attitude of the Victory over Mara](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7928.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7928.jpg)

## Image Caption

This [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/) represents the [Buddha](https://www.worldhistory.org/Siddhartha_Gautama/) on the verge of enlightenment responding to the challenge of the demon Mara. Mara, who profits from chaos and suffering in the world, questioned the Buddha's right to become enlightened. Disturbed from his meditation, the Buddha responded by reaching out this right hand to touch the earth with his fingertips, calling upon the Earth to be his witness. The Earth goddess rose up and wrung her hair, unleashing a flood that washed Mara and his demon army away. This sculpture is made of Chlorite and dates from the 10-11th century CE. It was likely made in West Bengal or Bihar, [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/) during the Pala period (730–1197 CE). ([Iris](https://www.worldhistory.org/Iris/) & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts at Stanford University, Stanford, California)

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

James Blake Wiener has a particular interest in cross-cultural exchange and world history. He is a co-founder of World History Encyclopedia and formerly was its Communications Director.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswiener)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Wiener, J. B. (2018, January 16). Buddha in the Attitude of the Victory over Mara. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7928/buddha-in-the-attitude-of-the-victory-over-mara/>
### Chicago
Wiener, James Blake. "Buddha in the Attitude of the Victory over Mara." *World History Encyclopedia*, January 16, 2018. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7928/buddha-in-the-attitude-of-the-victory-over-mara/>.
### MLA
Wiener, James Blake. "Buddha in the Attitude of the Victory over Mara." *World History Encyclopedia*, 16 Jan 2018, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7928/buddha-in-the-attitude-of-the-victory-over-mara/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/ "User Page: James Blake Wiener"), published on 16 January 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.