1. Depictions of Buddha

2. There are many different statues and paintings of Siddartha Gautama, the Buddha. The reason for these different representations is that Buddhism is typically absorbed into other cultures. (For example, Buddhism in China became Chinese instead of China becoming Buddhist.)

3. Seated Buddha The Seated Buddha represents Buddha reaching enlightenment under the fig tree.

4. Obese, Laughing Buddha The Obese, Laughing Buddha is popular in China. This figure is believed to be a representation of a medieval Chinese monk and therefore technically not a Buddha image.

5. Emaciated Buddha The Emaciated Buddha, which shows Siddhartha Gautama during his extreme ascetic practice of starvation.

6. Despite these specific cultural artistic traditions, some fundamental standards for Buddha statues remain a constant, and among these are the various poses of the Buddha and what those poses mean. These poses are called mudras.

7. Mudras Mudras are ritualistic gestures and poses that are used in both Buddhism and Hinduism, reflecting their common Indian heritage. All statues of the Buddha represent him performing one of the mudras. Many of the mudras are depicted through simple hand gestures, but others are full-body poses.

8. 5 Most Common Mudras Abhaya mudra: right hand raised and palm facing out, with the left hand down toward the hips and also facing out, symbolizing peaceful intentions and peacemaking; Bhumisparsha mudra: all five fingers of the right hand reaching to touch the ground, symbolizing the enlightenment of the Buddha under the Bodhi tree

9. Dhyana mudra: one or both hands in the lap, symbolizing wisdom, possibly supplemented by ritual objects such as an alms bowl Dharmachakra mudra (the thumb and index finger of both hands touch at their tips to form a circle, symbolizing the Wheel of Dharma Varada mudra: both hands at waist level, palms out, right hand up and left hand down

10. Activity Time! You will be given blank paper. Recreate the Buddha as you imagine him to have been. Along with your drawing, write 50-100 words explaining your interpretation of Buddha.