During the 6th century B.C., Prince Buddha founded Buddhism in northeastern India. Buddhism is followed by around 300 million people since then. Buddha attained enlightenment, preached the path towards salvation to his devotees and began to be known as Shakyamuni.
Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautam) was born in the great Shakya Kingdom as crown prince. As per his royal father’s wishes he was to be groomed as king but he gave up his royal life and status to learn causes of people’s suffering. Following deep meditation he attained his goal and became known as Shakyamuni.
Shakyamuni Buddha is depicted adorning distinctive patchwork robes of a monk, seated on a throne, encircled by floral and decorative motifs, mythical creatures or paired disciples or Bodhisattvas. His characteristics, the 32 sacred lakshanas or marks are considered as his identification. Contemplation (Dhyana), various gestures (Mudras), teaching (Dharmachakra) and enlightenment (Bhumisparsha) are displayed by Shakyamuni Buddha. He specifies his transcendent stature by various devices he is enclosed in. Shakyamuni is positioned on double lotus throne, most commonly.
A statue of the historical Buddha or Shakyamuni Buddha is found at the holy sited at a place called Bodh Gaya in India. Many Buddhist pilgrims from across the globe visit the Bodh Gaya to see the moment of his enlightenment in the statue. Shakyamuni Buddha is seen sitting with straight back, legs crossed at the ankles with soles upwards and meditating in the lotus position. His left shoulder is covered with a thin monk’s robe while his right arm is exposed. He has elongated earlobes while a mass of compact curls adorn his head.
