Shakyamuni Buddha

The historical Buddha Siddharta Gautama came from the caste of warriors, the Shakya. Shakyamuni means "the Wise One from the Shakya race".

The iconographic trademarks of a Buddha are the Urna, the third eye on His forehead, and the Ushnisha, the knot of hair tied on top of the head, symbol of a fully developed top chakra, and the elongated ears, meant to suggest virility. The locks of hair are actually stylized snails, for, according to buddhist mythology, snails climbed onto the Buddha's head, protecting Him from the heat as He approached enlightenment. The hands symbolize deep meditation. Contrary to the Dhyana Buddha, the left hand rests in the right palm.

The Buddha is seated on a lotus petal, symbol of purity and of the Buddha nature. As a seed will grow out of the dirt and eventually become a beautiful and shining blossom, so the Buddha's wisdom will grow within the human mind.

The Shakyamuni Buddha is available with an optional lotus throne and an aureole. The aureole is a stylized portrayal of the foliage of the bodhi tree, the tree of enlightenment.

This sculpture is done in the Kamakura style of the 12. century.