Unknown
Shakyamuni Triumphing Over Mara
900s
Stone
11 x 8 1/4 x 3 3/4 inches (27.94 x 20.955 x 9.525 centimeters)
Gift of the Jaipaul Family, 2001.
2001.022.010

This sculpture depicts the Buddha's triumph over the demon Mara (death) during meditation leading toward his Great Enlightenment. He touches the ground asking the earth to witness his moment of enlightenment. The base is inscribed in the Nepalese language. Siddhartha, the historical Buddha, was born in the Nepalese foothills. His family name was Shakya and Shakyamuni means "sage of the Shakyas."