# Shakyamuni preaching

- Date: 16th century
- Medium: Color and gold on silk panel
- Classification: Paintings
- Dimensions: H x W (image): 103.4 x 48.2 cm (40 11/16 x 19 in)
- Culture: Buddhists
- Credit line: Gift of Charles Lang Freer
- Museum: [Smithsonian Institution](https://asia.si.edu/object/F1904.3/)
- Rights: [CC0 (Smithsonian Open Access)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- Picture: https://invisiblenetwork.ai/thumbs/web/eb249b44810a33d544d4f4dbb77732ec.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

The Historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, is shown seated on a throne in the form of a lotus, an important symbol in Buddhism representing, among other concepts, purity, perfection, and divine birth. The Buddha raises his right hand in a symbolic gesture, or mudra, of protection and reassurance, and his expression reflects a contemplative tranquillity that inspires peaceful meditation. This painting was originally mounted as a hanging scroll to be displayed on special occasions of ceremony or worship.