Our 5.75″ small Shakyamuni statue depicts the classic Bhumisparsha mudra — the moment the Buddha vanquished the demon Mara and attained enlightenment. The Bhumisparsha mudra is also known as “calling the earth to witness”: as the Buddha sat on the verge of enlightenment, Mara tempted him with treasure and beautiful visions, but nothing could dissuade him from his goal. The earth touching gesture is one of triumph — with Mara defeated, the Buddha called on the Earth Goddess to witness his victory.
Small Shakyamuni Statue Symbols
Shakyamuni Buddha was born in the 6th century BCE as Prince Siddhartha Gautama of the Shakya Kingdom. Rising above his tightly curled hair, this statue displays the ushnisha — the cranial protuberance counted among the 32 marks of a fully enlightened being, which appeared as a sign of the supreme wisdom he attained at his awakening. Its topknot shape echoes the gathered hairstyles of ancient Indian nobility, but on a Buddha it signifies spiritual attainment, not rank. Discover the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha at Lumbini, Nepal in our complete guide to Shakyamuni statues.
The three neck lines are likewise among the traditional marks: folds shaped like a conch shell, long regarded in ancient India as a sign of beauty. They draw attention to the Buddha’s throat, acknowledging the melodious nature of his voice and symbolizing the harmony and endless knowledge contained in the Dharma teachings. Explore all 32 marks in our guide to Buddha physical characteristics.
Though compact at 5.75″, this statue gives nothing away in craftsmanship: the robe is modeled in deep, flowing sculptural folds gathered into a pleated fan at the shoulder, edged with beaded trim along the sash, and a fan pleat of fabric spreads on the seat between his crossed legs. His face is delicately hand painted, and the lidded alms bowl in his left palm is capped with a lotus-bud knob. A piece this size is ideally suited to a small home altar or travel shrine. Have questions about Shakyamuni Buddha statues? Read our Shakyamuni Buddha FAQ, or browse our full collection of Shakyamuni Buddha statues to compare sizes and finishes.
Authentic, Handmade in Nepal
Every statue and ritual item is handcrafted in Patan, Nepal, using traditional lost wax casting and comes with a certificate of authenticity issued by Nepal's Department of Archaeology, verifying its materials, technique, and origin.
