An ancient carving of Buddha’s mother has been discovered by villagers while scouring for wild mushrooms in a dense forest.
It depicts Maya, also known as Mahāmāyā and Māyādevī, it is believed.
She was the queen of Shakya and the birth mother of Siddhartha Gautama, commonly referred to as the Buddha.
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Images typically show her giving birth while standing under a tree and holding on to an overhead branch for support.
The carving was found in the middle of the Khao Kradong Forest Park in Buriram Province, Thailand, on 10 May.
The discovery also apparently depicts Maya reaching up to a tree branch for support.
However, it’s possible the sculpture could depict a female nature spirit known as a Yakshini, which is closely associated with the ashoka tree.
A team of experts will visit the site in the coming days to confirm the carving’s subject and age, as reported by What’s the Jam.
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One local commented: “It’s beautiful, so perfect.”
Another said: “The carving of her full face is stunning.”
“People from the past were very clever,” wrote someone else.
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Wi remarked: “A new tourist spot…”
Another local joked: “There should be treasure nearby.”
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