Sivali Thera
Material: Brass
Origin: Thailand
Height: 27.5 cm
Code: TS-022
Donor: Wilson Chua
Sīvali Thera is typically depicted standing upright and carrying a walking staff, an alms bowl and Buddhist prayer beads. Born to Queen Suppavasa, Sīvali is believed to have remained in his mother's womb for seven years because of past karma. The Queen invited Buddha and the Sangha for a meal offering. Soon after Buddha’s blessings and after a week in labor, Sīvali's mother gave birth to a precocious boy who could immediately speak. It was recorded that when Queen Suppavasa became pregnant, crops grew in abundance, the kingdom became prosperous and everyone was well-fed and healthy. Even after being ordained as a monk, the sangha noticed that whenever they were with Sivali Thera, they would not be deprived of requisites because Sivali Thera was always endowed with an abundance of rich fragrant food, robes, medicine and shelter. Somehow, wherever Sivali Thera went for alms, donors would prepare food and other requisites for him. Even while in uninhabited forest, the Devas would offer food to Sivali Thera and the sangha. For this, Buddha declared Sivali Thera was foremost among the sangha in obtaining requisites and even instructed disciples who were travelling on long tedious journeys through uninhabited terrain to be accompanied by Sivali Thera. This could be why Thais and Burmese believe that worshiping him will bring them prosperity and good fortune.