This sculpture shows a figure seated in a relaxed position on a platform, adorned with the head of a horned animal at the front. His left leg is folded underneath him, and the right knee is raised, with the sole of the right foot placed flat on the platform. The folds of his clothing gather around his feet and underneath his legs, and the drapery hugs his form. His left arm is resting on his left leg, and in his palm he is holding a round object. His left arm is raised, with his hand cupped against his ear as if he is listening intently to something. His long hair is loose over his shoulders, and he is wearing large round earrings. His expression is gentle and smiling.

This figure probably represents Milarepa, as he is often depicted in this pose, with his hand raised to his ear, and wearing a simple cotton robe. Milarepa was a Tibetan siddha, famous for reaching enlightenment and becoming an important yogi and spiritual poet despite a turbulent early life. He lived from the first half of the 11th century until the early 12th century CE, and the primary biography on which most stories of his life are based was written in the 15th century. According to the most common story, he was born into a wealthy family in western Tibet, but after the death of his father his aunt and uncle deprived the family of their remaining money. His mother then requested that Milarepa study sorcery in order to enact revenge. After murdering many people, he felt regret and eventually became a student of Marpa Lotsawa, also known as Marpa the Translator. Marpa is said to have refused to teach him before he completed several trials, including building three towers and then demolishing them. These tests were designed to purify the negative karma that he had accrued during his life. After extended practice of solitary meditation in caves and mountain retreats, Milarepa finally attained enlightenment. He then lived as a fully realised yogi, and through his poetry expressed his deep experience of realising the dharma. His songs were not written down but composed spontaneously, arising from intense enlightened states of consciousness. This sculpture commemorates his life as the ideal bodhisattva; despite being a murderer in the early part of his life, he still managed to attain enlightenment, and this artwork conveys the sense of peace that he was able to achieve through spiritual focus.