What is a fasting Buddha? Learn about an emaciated stone Buddhist sculpture from ancient history. This statue from ancient Gandhara in South Asia has detailed veins and a ribcage. This headless and severely emaciated, skeletal image is of the Historical Buddha (Buddha Shakyamuni).

The video discusses why he is shown in such an extreme state of deprivation. In Buddhism, one of the world’s oldest religions, a fasting Buddha represents an important time in the life of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, before he reached Nirvana, or enlightenment.

Speaker: Dr. Cortney Chaffin Kim

CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction to a Gandharan sculpture of a fasting Buddha Shakyamuni

0:03 Why is the Buddha fasting?

Learn more

• Check out all of our resources about Buddhism: https://www.artsq.org/learn-about-buddhism

• Learn more about ancient South Asia: https://www.artsq.org/ancient-south-asia