Lord Shakyamuni is the 4th Buddha or “Awakened One” of this fortunate aeon. He is usually depicted with his left hand cradling a begging bowl, and his right hand lightly touching the ground beneath him. The latter is symbolic of his invoking the earth to bear witness to the truth and virtue of his actions and words.
After experiencing both extreme opulence and severe ascetic practices, Shakyamuni sought his own spiritual path – “the middle way” – that led him to attain Buddhahood during his own lifetime. By employing diverse skilful means, the Buddha taught about 84,000 methods to Enlightenment, to suit all dispositions and spiritual levels.
