THE STANDING BUDDHA

Siddharth was a prince by birth and only knew the grandeur and opulence that surrounded him. He was only given to experience the best and the happiest life had to offer. But all that wealth and luxury could not offer Siddharth the peace of mind he deeply missed. A procession around his kingdom revealed to him the different stages of birth, childhood, adulthood, old age, disease and death. For the first time he was exposed to the misery that life could unleash upon human kind. He also chanced upon a Yogi sitting deep in meditation and knew this at once to be his Calling. He gave up the kingdom, his family, his belongings, everything and headed for the woods in search of a remedy for this misery. Under a Bodhi tree, Siddharth became Gautam Buddha, the enlightened one, and the world witnessed a gift of a new religion called Buddhism, a path of non-violence of lasting peace and happiness.

This statue of the Buddha standing with a perfect poise with both his hands in 'gyan-mudra' gives a hint of movement along with utmost serenity.