Sandstone Statuette from Indonesia, "Buddha Serene I"

Palms held open and eyes closed to distraction, Buddha relishes the serenity brought about by meditative contemplation. Like Buddha, Wayan Kandiyasa relishes tranquility before he sets to carve images of devotion. Kandiyasa works with sandstone quarried on the borders of the Ayung River. He carves the image of Buddha with sublime elegance, for carving has been his family's heritage for generations.

At age 29, Siddhartha left his wealthy family in pursuit of truth. After six years, Siddhartha experienced the religious epiphanies on which Buddhism is based. In short, a wholesome existence guided by the right understanding, the right thinking, the right speech, the right conduct, the right livelihood, the right effort, the right mindfulness, and the right concentration releases one from the painful cycle of life and death.