Shaka Nyorai

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Shaka Nyorai, or the historical Buddha Shakyamuni (the sage of the Shakya tribe who attained enlightenment), lived in India from about 563 to 483 B.C. He is portrayed here sitting cross-legged on a lotus throne above a five-tiered hexagonal pedestal. The most fundamental doctrine of Buddhism, Turning the Wheel of the Law, is embodied in Shaka's hand gesture, the mudra of preaching. He is illuminated by double disks of halos and by gold applied to his face and body. His robes drape gracefully over the throne. The strong frontality and symmetry enhance the strength of this devotional image.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art