The future Buddha, Maitreya (Benevolent One), can be represented as a Buddha or as a Bodhisattva because before his manifestation on earth he is believed to live in Tushita Heaven as a Bodhisattva (one who postpones their own Enlightenment to assist all sentient beings in their quest for Enlightenment). Here, he is envisioned as a Bodhisattva wearing heavy jewelry, an exquisitely patterned dhoti, and a hip sash with flaring ends. His ascetic nature is indicated by his piled hair, the Brahmanical sacred thread (yajnopavita) worn over his left shoulder and hanging down to his right knee, and the mendicant’s water pot carried in his left hand. His right hand is held in the gesture of discourse (vitarka mudra). He is barefoot and stands on the lotus base. The image has traces of gold paint on his face, neck, and chest, as well as blue paint on his hair. Both features reveal that the sculpture was once under worship in a Tibetan monastery.

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