Open source Elasticsearch & Next.js museum search.
Ascetic Shakyamuni, 17th - 18th century. Wood with pigmented lacquer, inlaid crystal, metal, 8 1/2 x 6 1/16 x 7 1/8 in. (21.6 x 15.4 x 18 cm)
a - figure: 7 3/4 × 6 × 6 3/8 in. (19.7 × 15.2 × 16.2 cm)
b - base: 1 × 6 1/4 × 6 1/4 in. (2.5 × 15.9 × 15.9 cm). Gift of the Asian Art Council, 88.145a-b. Creative Commons-BY.
At the age of 29, Siddhartha left the comforts of his palace to seek answers and spiritual solace. He cut his hair and removed his jewelry. He tried fasting as a way to test his dedication but the hunger distracted him from meditation. He would later preach “The Middle Path,” avoiding extremes of behavior in favor of focusing one’s thoughts on enlightenment. Images of the fasting Siddhartha promote this philosophy of moderation.