India, Tamil Nadu, about 900s
Buddha
Granite
24 x 16 x 7 inches
Gift of the Jaipaul Family, 2001.
2001.022.003

Buddhism was a major religion in India until the seventh century, when Hinduism became dominant. The city of Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu was one of the few places in southern India where the Buddhist religion remained strong after the emergence of Hinduism. The Buddha in this granite sculpture from Tamil Nadu holds his hands in the dhyanamurdra gesture of meditation.