Item: Shakyamuni Buddha

Shakyamuni Buddha (Tibetan: sha kya tu pa, sang gye. English: the Enlightened One, Sage of the Shakya Clan).

Sanskrit: Buddha Shakyamuni Tibetan: Sang gye sha kya tu pa

Formal in appearance, he gazes forward with partially closed eyes and the blue-black hair on the head is piled in a tuft on top with a single gold ornament adorning the crown. Between the eyebrows is a white dot and adorning the neck are three horizontal lines. The earlobes are long and pierced. With the right arm bare the hand is extended across the knee in the earth touching gesture. The left performs the gesture of meditation palm upward in the lap. Across the left shoulder is a red and orange patchwork robe. The legs are folded in vajra posture above a moon disc and blue lotus above an ornate and decorative throne. The head is surrounded by a dark green halo.

Standing on the proper right side of the Buddha is Shariputra, wearing orange patchwork robes, the right arm bare. Standing on the left side is Maudgalyayana. Both have the hands folded at the heart with the head slightly bowed. Arranged on the ground in front is a heap of multi-coloured wish-fulfilling jewels.

"Born in the Shakya race through skillful means and compassion; destroying the army of Mara who was unable to be destroyed by others; with a body radiant like a mountain of gold. Homage to you, King of Shakya." (Sakya liturgical verse).

Jeff Watt 11-2012