Lampang style Buddha at The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, UEA, Norwich

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Buddhism began with the Buddha, a title that signifies one who has awakened to reality, having "woken up" to life's true nature. The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was born in Nepal approximately 2,500 years ago. He did not claim divinity or prophetic status; instead, he was an ordinary human being who achieved Enlightenment, gaining profound insight into the human experience. Siddhartha was born into a royal family ruling over a small kingdom on the Indian-Nepalese border. According to traditional accounts, his early life was marked by privilege, but it was shaken when he confronted the harsh realities of old age, sickness, and death. This realization sparked a deep inquiry into the meaning of life. Ultimately, Siddhartha felt compelled to leave his palace and embark on the traditional Indian path of the wandering holy man, seeking Truth. He became exceptionally skilled in meditation under various teachers' guidance and later adopted ascetic practices based on the belief that denying one's flesh could free the spirit. He practiced austerities with such determination that he nearly starved to death. This object is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, which aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access at no cost. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to discover how you can participate.