This 'Bodhi Leaf Buddha' is carved in soapstone and comes from Varenasi in India.

Buddhism started with the Buddha.

The word ‘Buddha’ is a title, which means ‘one who is awake’ — in the sense of having ‘woken up to reality’. The Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama in Nepal around 2,500 years ago. He did not claim to be a god or a prophet. He was a human being who became Enlightened, understanding life in the deepest way possible.

The Buddha was not a god and he made no claim to divinity. He was a human being who, through tremendous effort of heart and mind, transformed all limitations. He affirmed the potential of every being to reach Buddhahood.  A Buddha is free from greed, hatred and ignorance, and characterised by wisdom, compassion and freedom.  Buddhists see Buudha as an ideal human being, and a guide who can lead us all towards Enlightenment.

He is 14cm high