Siddartha Gautama was a prince born in Lumbini, Nepal in the 4th century and is considered to be the historical Buddha. Legend has it that he gave up his all his royalties and riches to become an ascetic, before reaching enlightenment. His teachings are based on selflessness, compassion, and love. This particular Thangka of Buddha Shakyamuni has been skillfully painted the harmony in the colors is particularly exquisite.
Shakyamuni Buddha was born in 527 B.C. He was the son of King Sudhodana and Queen Maya Devi. Shakyamuni Buddha was known for attaining enlightenment as Siddhartha or Gautama.
Buddha Shakyamuni is mostly seen at the center seated on a thousand petal lotus throne. The lotus plant symbolizes his purity and serene nature. is portrayed meditating in the earth—touching gesture holding an alms bowl with his left hand on top of his lap. He is yellow in color and wears a robe.
When Shakyamuni Buddha was on the verge of Perfect enlightenment, he had to face both internal and external Maras (Temptations ). It is believed that Devaputra Mara questioned him on the validity of his attainment of Enlightenment and his perfection. At that time, his only witness was mother earth. Buddha Shakyamuni asked mother earth to bear witness to his attainment of paramita or perfection. To indicate this, he touched the earth with his right hand as the witness to his perfection. This form of Buddha depicts this incident.
