This thangka beautifully portrays Shakyamuni Buddha, the historical Buddha, seated in the vajra (lotus) posture on a moon disc atop a lotus throne. His expression is serene and compassionate, radiating wisdom and inner peace. He is adorned in traditional monastic robes (kāṣāya), draped over his left shoulder, leaving his right shoulder bare, symbol of renunciation and humility.

His right hand extends downward, fingers touching the earth in the Bhumisparsha Mudra (earth-touching gesture). This gesture represents the moment of his enlightenment, when he called upon the Earth Goddess to witness his victory over Mara, the forces of ignorance and illusion. The Earth trembled in response, affirming the truth of his realization, marking the Buddha’s complete liberation from samsara.

His left-hand rests in his lap in dhyana mudra, holding an alms bowl, a traditional symbol of monastic simplicity and renunciation.

Sacred Objects in the Alms Bowl                                                                                                             Unlike a simple empty bowl, this alms bowl contains radiant ratnas (wish-fulfilling jewels), emphasizing the ultimate spiritual wealth that the Buddha offers. These jewels symbolize:

• The Three Jewels of Buddhism (Triratna): The Buddha (the awakened teacher), the Dharma (his teachings), and the Sangha (the monastic community)—the foundation of Buddhist refuge.
• Wisdom and Compassion: The true treasures that lead beings toward enlightenment.
• The Buddha’s power to fulfill the highest aspirations of sentient beings, guiding them beyond material desires toward ultimate liberation.

Above him, Garuda, the powerful celestial bird, spreads its wings wide. This divine being, often depicted in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, is known for:

• Subduing negative forces, particularly nagas (serpent spirits), which represent illusions and poisons of the mind.
• Speed and wisdom, as Garuda swiftly soars across realms, symbolizing the rapid destruction of ignorance.
• Serving as a protector of the Dharma, ensuring the teachings remain pure and untarnished.

Garuda’s placement above the Buddha reinforces his role as a divine guardian, ensuring that wisdom remains free from corruption.

The Presence of White Elephants

On either side of the throne, white elephants emerge gracefully amidst the floral designs. In Buddhist iconography, elephants symbolize:

• Mental strength and wisdom, reminding practitioners of the steady and unwavering path to enlightenment.
• The Buddha’s royal birth, as Queen Maya dreamt of a white elephant entering her womb, signifying the arrival of an extraordinary being destined for awakening.
• Purity and auspiciousness, associated with divine qualities and the removal of obstacles on the spiritual path.

At the forefront, Sariputra and Maudgalyayana, the two most renowned disciples of the Buddha, stand in devotion.

Sariputra is depicted standing in a slightly inclined posture, his expression radiating deep wisdom and contemplation.

He holds a mirror (Adarsha), one of the Eight Auspicious Substances (Aṣṭamaṅgala Dravya) within a vessel filled with jewels (Ratna). The vessel symbolizes the receptacle of wisdom, holding the essence of truth—a representation of mental purity and the ability to receive and preserve profound teachings without distortion. It also signifies the student’s mind, open and ready to be filled with knowledge.

The mirror represents:

• Clarity, ultimate truth, and the pure reflection of reality as it is, free from illusion or conceptual overlays.
• In Buddhist teachings, the mirror reflects all things without attachment or aversion, revealing things as they truly are.
• This aligns with Sariputra’s wisdom—his ability to perceive the nature of emptiness (Shunyata) and ultimate reality.

The ratnas (precious gems) within the vessel symbolize:

• The Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha)—the supreme spiritual treasures.
• Inexhaustible wisdom and the luminous nature of enlightenment.
• In Vajrayana symbolism, such jewels are associated with wish-fulfilling qualities (Cintamani), representing the wisdom that grants liberation.

Maudgalyayana is depicted standing in a similar posture on the right side of the Buddha. holds the Dharma Well, one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols (Ashtamangala).                                                                                                                                   

The Dharma Well represents the deep, inexhaustible source of Dharma teachings, which continuously flows to benefit all beings.

It signifies abundance, spiritual wealth, and the unending depth of wisdom that can never be depleted.

The eight spokes of the Dharma Well symbolize the Eightfold Path, the fundamental Buddhist teaching that leads to enlightenment.

Unlike the standard Dharma Wheel (Dharmachakra), which represents the act of turning the wheel of Dharma, the Dharma Well signifies an ever-flowing, inexhaustible source of wisdom. Maudgalyayana holding this symbolizes his role in preserving and propagating the Dharma, ensuring that the teachings remain alive and accessible to all beings.