Acrylic on canvas

48 x 32 inches inches

037

Gautama Buddha stands on the pericarp of a lotus rising from the ocean. His right hand is in the varada mudra (wish-granting gesture), while his left is in the abhaya mudra (gesture of protection). His outer garment, the kasyapa (monk’s patchwork robe), is draped over his shoulders, while his inner garment is a long, brown dhoti (worn by yogis).Gautama is most famous for having preached the four noble truths, which have been summarized as follows: “Suffering is an unavoidable reality of ordinary human existence that is to be known and responded to wisely.” (Phillip Moffitt, Dancing with Life: Buddhist Insights for Finding Meaning and Joy in the Face of Suffering, New York: Rodale Inc., 2008, p. 28)