Buddha’s right hand touching the earth is called bhumi sparsha mudra or the earth touching gesture. His monastic robes with a simple yet elegant border cover his left shoulder while leaving the right side bare, which means that he is inside the monastery premise where monks are allowed to wear their clothes more freely. It also suggests that he is a respected member of the sangha.The half-closed eyelids depict Buddha in meditation. But he is not detached from his surroundings. He patiently responds to the likes of Mara when the situation demands it. His earlobes are elongated from wearing heavy jewellery, a feature highlighting his associations with royalty. He is a prince as well as a yogi. In a world driven by extremities, this statue will remind you of Buddha’s middle path, of the perfect balance which you aspire to achieve.
