Gautama Buddha
Biography
A prince by birth in the Sakya clan, Siddhartha Gautama is the historical Buddha and the initiator of Buddhism. He was born in 563 B.C. and given the name Śākyāmuni after his birthplace. According to ancient texts, the historical Buddha is manifested with 32 major and 80 minor signs of divinity. The five significant physical signs of his journey towards enlightenment are: extended earlobes due to being a prince; webbed fingers; the ushnisa or a protrusion on the top of his head epitomizing his spiritual power; an urna or curl of hair amidst the eyes, symbolizing the third eye; and a chakra or wheel on each foot and palm. He is often depicted in Padmasana or the seated lotus posture with monastic robes wrapped around one or both shoulders. Here, he is shown in the earth-witnessing posture, or bhumisparsh mudra, where he is touching the earth with his right hand as a testimony of his enlightenment and holding a begging bowl in his left.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
4 Buddha Sakyamuni Applique
Buddha Sakyamuni Applique from the Thangde Gatsal Collection on Thangka Buddhist Art. Applique shows Gautama Buddha in a sitting position with a black background. Small images of the sun and moon are in the upper left and right corners. Black and white mountains sit underneath the image of Gautama Buddha.