Thangka - Shakyamuni print 2 -105 cm x 63 cm

Gautam Buddha, the lord of Shakyas or lion of Shakya clan, is the son of king Suddhodana and queen Mayadevi. He was born 563 B.C. at Lumbini. He is a historical figure and founder of Buddhism. He attained Bodhi or enlightment and got mahaparinirvana at the age of 80 in Kushinagar. He is believed to have had 550 reincarntions.

He is two-armed and one faced and exhibits the Bhusparsa (earth touching) mudra which means calling the earth for witness, and sits in the Vajraparyanka pose. He represents the primordal cosmic element of Vijnana (consciousnessa). When represented in the stupa, he always faces the east. His left hand rests on the lap, while the right rests on the right knee with the tip of the middle fingers touching the groung with palm drawn inwardly.

Buddha Shakyamuni has a compassion for all sentient beings taught many different kinds of teachings mostly sutras and tantras to suit the varying degrees of intelligences of his disciples. All sutras and tantra teachings of the Buddha Shakyamuni are said to be the means of liberation or the path leading to Buddhahood/enlightment. According to Swayambhu Purana, Buddha Shakyamuni also visited Swayambhu Caitya and delivered the teachings on the origin of Swayambhu Stupa upon the request of Bodhisattva Maitreya.