Seated Buddha

This powerful sculpture depicts the Buddha at the moment of his Enlightenment. Having meditated for a long period of time, the Buddha reaches down to touch the ground, calling the Earth Goddess to witness his Enlighenment. This " Earth-Touching Gesture" is called "Bhumisparsa-mudra". Below the throne are the demons of Mara who tried to distract the Buddha from his Enlightenment but whom he overcame. The figure's strong, upright torso seems filled with yogic breath and his eyes are lowered as if in meditation.