Buddha in Dhyanasana

Description

This polychrome stucco sculpture, characteristic of the Kushana period in the northwestern regions around Taxila, was likely an object of private worship amongst monks, or a part of decor in stupa niches. It depicts the Buddha in the posture of the lotus (padmasana) with his hands gesturing meditation (dhyanasana). Prior to the attainment of Enlightenment by the bodhisattva Siddhartha Gautama, he also learnt various meditational practices under different ascetics (sramanas) such as Uddaka Ramaputta and Alara Kalama.