The Serpent King protecting the Buddha from the elements
This statue depicts a famous Buddhist story: The serpent king Muchalinda sheltered Shakyamuni Buddha from the elements.
After 49 days of meditation under the Bodhi tree (in modern-day Bihar, India), Prince Siddhartha attained Buddhahood, titled Shakyamuni. After his enlightenment, he remained near the tree for another seven weeks. In the sixth week, while he was meditating to experience the happiness of liberation and the peace derived from meditation, the weather worsened: the sky darkened and a storm arrived, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, along with incessant lightning.
Then, Muchalinda left his abode and respectfully coiled around the Buddha, with his hood spread over to protect the Blessed One for days until the storm was over.
The Buddha is the Supreme Enlightened One, able to change sentient beings for the better thanks to his compassion and wisdom. He is the teacher of deities and humans, revered by all beings, and Muchalinda is one of them.
The serpent king Muchalinda sheltered the Buddha from the rain for many days in order to help him meditate.
The Buddha is the World-Honored One, the Teacher of Deities and Humans, all beings can find peace and happiness from him.
