The historical figure, Buddha Gautama
Sakyamuni is the Buddha of compassion who,
having achieved the highest evolutionary
perfection, turns suffering into happiness for all
living beings. Born around 560 B.C. somewhere
between the hills of south Nepal and the Rapti
river, his father was a Raja who ruled over the
northeastern province of India, the district
including the holy Ganges River. The young
prince was married to Yashoda when he was
about 17 years old and together they had a son
named Rahula. At the age of 29, he left his life
of luxury, as he felt compelled to purify his body
and make it an instrument of the mind by ridding
himself of earthly impulses and temptations.
Here, the Buddha is portrayed as a youthful
prince with a contemplative expression, rounded
dimpled chin and pronounced eyes. His mouth
with full lips is recessed at the corners. He wears
his hair in large curls characteristic of the Thai
style. He is crowned with an ushnisha, the large
bump symbolic of his enlightenment and divine
wisdom.
- (PF.5535)
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