Why this Buddha in Mumbai has a calming effect on me

I am fascinated by this huge Buddha in the park of the CSMVS Museum (formerly Prince of Wales Museum) in Mumbai, India. It has a calming effect on me in this noisy busy megacity.

Many think it is an ancient sculpture that has been destroyed and only the head is left. That’s not true.

The tragic story behind this Buddha

This is the story behind the Buddha’s head: It was built in 2016 by the famous Indian artist Satish Gupta. It is made of copper and called “The Buddhas Within”.  If you approach the back of the sculpture, you will see that the head is shaped like a cave. Inside this cave lies a life-size sleeping Buddha. And the walls are covered with 1500 small meditating Buddhas.

Actually, it was a tragedy that inspired the artist to create this sculpture. At the time of the tsunami, he was visiting the Buddhist Dambulla Rock Temples in Sri Lanka. Surrounded by all the Buddhas he felt calm and protected despite the turmoil and panic around him.

Every time I visit Mumbai and stand in front of this Buddha, I feel a sense of peace and tranquility.

Photos: Copyright Chitra-Lekha Sarkar

1500 small Buddhas at the back of the sculpture “The Buddhas Within” by the artist Satish Gupta

A life-size sleeping Buddha at the back of the sculpture “The Buddhas Within” by the artist Satish Gupta