Pensive Bodhisattva

Before the historical Buddha reached Enlightenment, he was a young prince named Siddhartha. Here he is represented in that guise, seated on a cushioned throne, wearing rich silks, abundant jewelry, and an elaborate turban decorated with gems and flowers. Although his left arm does not survive, his pose is that of a pensive bodhisattva, so his right hand would have been raised to point at his head to indicate deep thought. This thinking pose encouraged elite viewers to likewise consider their spiritual state and make efforts to move forward on the path toward Enlightenment.