The Buddha Shakyamuni is the historical Buddha, founder of the Buddhist philosophy and often referred to as “the Buddha”. He is believed to have lived in around 420 BC and to have spent most of his life spreading the teachings of Dharma, in the Buddhist religion each "kalpa" (a Buddhist eon) is said to have its own Buddha, whose teachings slowly are forgotten before the next Buddha arrives. His life is detailled in the Thangka called the Life of Buddha.

For many, Shakyamuni Buddha, is considered to be a model, a guide and an inspiration. It is said that his presence on earth is ensured by the “dharma” or spiritual belief and by the “sanga” or Buddhist community. Together they form what is referred to as the 3 jewels of Buddhism (Buddha, Dharma and Sanga).

There are hundreds of reproductions of these motifs all over the world. Yet, almost every single representation will have a certain number of identical traits. These are what allow us to recognize the different Buddhas and the qualities that they posses.

Painted in shades of gold or beige and wearing monastic robes, he is seated atop a lotus throne on which are symbolically placed the sun and moon.

His lotus seat symbolizes the act of living in this world without being soiled by its imperfections. The sun represents “prajna” or wisdom. The moon represents “upaya” or the willful means of compassion.

The left hand is in the dhyani or meditation mudra. Whilst the right hand is in the Bhumisparsa mudra translated in english to  “taking the earth as a witness” which refers to a particular episode of the Buddha’s Life a thangka detailing his life story.