Standing Buddha

Description

This sculpture of the Buddha depicts him after his Enlightenment and transformation from Prince Siddhartha at Gaya. In depicting him, it goes further than the physical form- showing his status as an Enlightened or Awakened Being. The Standing Buddha shows him in motion- becoming a popular motif following the adoption of the human body and form into Buddhist iconography, which used to be absent earlier. What is more important than the posture, however, is the hand gesture associated with the sculpture. Due to damage to the artefact resulting in the breakage of the arms, one cannot discern the gestures depicted in this sculpture. However, the Standing Buddha is normally depicted in the varadamudra or the abhayamudra- inspiring devotees to generosity and fearlessness, often by using both hands in the mudra, as opposed to only one. The detail on the stone is also impressive- showing the draping and folds of his cloth in a lifelike manner.