Agnes Arellano Sculptor

Three Buddha Mothers

(Tatlong Buddhang Ina)

1996

Faceless Vesta makes the mudra [gesture] of generosity. She is the vessel of life who nourishes with milk and honey.

Molting and breaking out from her burdensome cocoon, Dea's wings are folded. The sheltering Muchilinda* pose has been incorporated into the form of her body. She is strong and immovable.

*Muchilinda was a multiheaded serpent who spread his hood over the seated Buddha to shelter him during a storm.

No longer fecund except in insight, Lola has the mudra of teaching turned inwards. She promises 'to lead men back to that sure instinct of love which he long ago forfeited by intellectual pride'. (Graves, Intimations of the Black Goddess).