This bronze cast figure, sitting with legs crossed and eyes closed, represents the historical Buddha Shakyamuni [SHAH-kyuh-moo-nee], born Prince Siddhartha [sid-DAHR-thah] Gautama [go-ta-ma], in a state of meditation as he pursues enlightenment. He wears monk’s robes as a symbol of his austere lifestyle and sits on a lotus throne. His distended earlobes refer to his former princely existence, when he would have worn heavy earrings and other impressive ornaments. He abandoned this royal lifestyle to follow the path of enlightenment.
The placement of the Buddha’s hands, the left resting in his lap while the right extends palm down with fingers pointing towards the earth, is known as the earth-touching mudra. This gesture recalls a specific event in the life of the Buddha when he was taunted and threatened by Mara, the demon of desire and death. The Buddha’s face and body remain impassive during this moment, and the Buddha simply touches his right hand to the earth, calling it to witness his steadfastness and enlightened state.