Buddha Seduto

Buddha seduto Padmasana

Padmasana, also known as the lotus position, is the ancient Indian cross-legged position of meditation. Here we see a seated Buddha adopting this ancient pose, in a moment of complete tranquillity. The historical Buddha is considered to be one of the most important spiritual masters and Asian thinkers ever to exist and its presence in the garden is a symbol of peace, tranquillity and the desire to unite nature and spirituality.

Notably, this Buddha is made from a white stone, which further adds to his innocence and purity. As is typical with the depiction of Buddha, his face is completely serene, with a downcast expression. We see him in a moment of meditation; his calmness and serenity encourage us to take a moment of reflection and appreciate his beauty whilst reflecting on our lot. His perfect posture adds a sense of grace to his form and the ripples of his clothing appeal like waters cascading into the pool that surrounds him. It seems that through his meditation, he has found a sublime state of strength and inner peace that he has the power to float weightlessly upon the water.

According to Buddhism, the character Buddha was a prince, also known as Gotama Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, and Buddha Śākyamuni. He was born in Lumbini, in the Nepalese region of Terai, near the Indian border. He was wealthy and prosperous and used to flaunt his wealth, like many other people with material excess. One way of doing so would be to adorn his body with fine jewellery, including earplugs, which would have been used to stretch his ear lobes. This explains why the ears in this sculpture are so large and pendulous, serving as a reminder of the fact Buddha was once dragged down by wealth.

Despite his wealth, the prince was bored and often found himself wandering around in search of an understanding. He encountered many people, including an ill man, an old man, a monk, and even a corpse. These encounters led him to believe that suffering could be found at the end of all existence. As soon as he had this epiphany, he renounced his title and all his worldly possessions and began to try and comprehend the world around him. One day, while sitting underneath a tree in the lotus position, he finally understood what it meant to be free from suffering and find salvation. After this moment, Buddha was known as the enlightened one, and he dedicated his life to teaching others.