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THE HONEY FULL MOON FESTIVAL - A DAY FOR UNITY
This rare bronze Buddha figure is 7 inches tall, and depicts the Buddha in bronze, leaning or seated on a rock in the forest. At his feet, a kneeling elephant and a monkey holding out a lotus leaf filled with honeycomb. The base is 5 1/2 inches long, 2 3/8" wide. It dates 1790 to 1810, and probably originated in Laos. It retains some patina of heavy gilt. This Buddha represents peace, healing, and unity.
The story:
The day celebrates Buddha bringing peace between two quarrelling factions of disciples. He retreated to the wilderness, and an elephand brought him fruit, while a monkey brought a honeycomb. The monkey, delighted with Buddha accepting his gift fell to his death from a tree. Buddha pointed to the elephant and said, "This elephant lives alone in the forest in the absence of a proper partner. If you do not find associates with wisdom and high thoughts, it is better to live alone in this world." When Buddha went back to the city, the elephant's heart broke and he died. The elephant and the monkey were reborn as devas in the Tavatimsa heaven.
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