Guatama Buddha was born 563bc in north-east India. He was the son of the King of the Sakyas, Suddhodana. Buddha's mother was Queen Maya. When he left the palace and entered the life of an ascetic, he became known as Shakyamuni (Sakyamuni).

Shakyamuni is seated in the lotus posture upon a double lotus, in his left hand he holds a begging bowl, which symbolises renunciation of worldly attachments. Shakyamuni's right hand is in the Bhumisparsha mudra, which means 'earth touching' or 'earth witness'.

The five fingers of the right hand extend to touch the ground, it presses palm down on the right knee. When this mudra is combined with the Dhyana mudra, left hand resting open in lap, it symbolises the union of samsara and nirvana. It was in this position that Shakyamuni overcame the obstructions of Mara while meditating for 40 days.