During
the course of his spiritual quest. The Prince Siddhartha was
practicing asceticism in the land of Magadha. At a time he
rigorously engaged in meditation without food, consumed only
a few seeds and water from the near by banks of the Nairanjana
River. After six years, Siddhartha remained unable to attain
his goal. Then one day, he went bathing in the river and accepted
a rice ball from the hand of Sujata maid, and came to the
realization that severe asceticism can only wear out the body,
thus depriving the strength he needed to attain the path to
enlightenment.
The
skin and bone figure of this Shakyamuni bronze is finely realized
in a realism unique in the Qing style. The image of Shakyamuni
is in exhaustion, yet his facial expression reveals a kindly
and spirited realization, which is likely portrayed through
an inspired Buddhist artist. The upper part of the statue
is cast in solid bronze. It has an original aged deep bronze
patina, and rather heavy for it size.