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Buddha in parinirvana, Gandhara art, 2nd or 3rd century

A reclining Buddha is an image that represents Buddha lying down and is a major iconographic theme in Buddhist art. It represents the historical Buddha during his last illness, about to enter the parinirvana.^[1] He is lying on his right side, his head resting on a cushion or relying on his right elbow, supporting his head with his hand.

This pattern seems to have emerged at the same time as other representations of the Buddha in the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara.

In Thai art

Reclining Buddha of Galvihara at Polonnaruwa (Sri Lanka, 12th century)

For Thai Buddha attitudes (Thai: ปางพระพุทธรูป; parang Phra phut ta roupe), the reclining Buddha (Thai: ปางไสยาสน์; paang sai yat) can refer to three different episodes, whilst the attribute of each remains unclear.

Nirvana attitude (Thai: ปางปรินิพพาน; paang pari nipphan)
Teaching the Rahu Asurin attitude (Thai: ปางโปรดอสุรินทราหู; paang proad asurin tra rahu)
Sleeping attitude (Thai: ปางทรงพระสุบิน; paang song phra subin)

Notable examples

The reclining Buddha of the Hpo win caves

Burma:

Winsein Tawya Buddha (Mawlamyaing) - 182.9 metres (600 ft)^[3]
Thanboddhay Pagoda (Monywa) - 101 metres (331 ft)^[3]
Myathalyaung Buddha (Bago) - 82 metres (269 ft)^[3]
Lawka Tharahpu Buddha (Dawei) - 73.6 metres (241 ft)^[3]
Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple (Yangon) - 66 metres (217 ft)^[3]
Shwethalyaung Buddha (Bago) - 54.8 metres (180 ft)^[3]
Manuha Temple (Bagan)
Phowintaung, near Monywa

Cambodia:

West side of the Baphuon in Angkor
Monolithic Buddha of the Phnom Kulen (lying on his left side)
Golden gilded Buddha on Sambok Mountain in Kratié Province (on his right side)

China

Dafo Temple, Zhangye

Pakistan:

Bhamala Stupa contains a statue carbon dated to be 1,800 years old, making it the oldest reclining Buddha in the world.^[4]

India:

Cave #26 of Ajanta

Indonesia:

Maha Vihara Mojopahit, Trowulan, East Java.

Japan

Kongōbu-ji at Mount Kōya.
Nanzo-in, in Fukuoka Prefecture - 41 metres (135 ft)

Malaysia:

Wat Chayamangkalaram in Pulau Tikus, Penang
Sam Poh Tong Temple in Ipoh, Perak
Wat Phothivihan in Tumpat, Kelantan

Sri Lanka:

Dambulla
Gal Vihara in Polonnaruwa (12th century)

Tajikistan:

Buddha in Nirvana of Ajina-Tepa (13 meters long), on display in the National Museum in Dushanbe

Thailand:

Wat Dhammachaksemaram in Nakhon Ratchasima - 13 metres (43 ft) the reclining Buddha of the 7th century in Dvaravati style coming from Muang Sema
Wat Khun Inthapramun in Ang Thong - 50 metres (160 ft) an ancient temple that was constructed during the Sukhothai period
Wat Lokkayasutha in Ayutthaya- 29 metres (95 ft) the biggest reclining Buddha in Ayuttaya
Wat Pa Mok Worawihan in Ang Thong - 23 metres (75 ft) The reclining Buddha image was constructed during the Sukhothai period
Wat Pho of Bangkok - 46 metres (151 ft)
Wat Phra Kaeo in Kamphaeng Phet (15th century)
Wat Phra Si Iriyabot in Kamphaeng Phet The 15th century temple with Buddha statues in four postures-walking, sitting, standing and reclining in the Sukhothai artistic style
Wat Wichian Bamrung in Phetchabun - 50 metres (160 ft)