This is a gilt-bronze sculpture of the Medicine Buddha (Bhaishajyaguru). Seated in lotus posture on a lotus pedestal, he holds a medicine bowl on his lap with both hands, forming a meditation gesture (dhyana mudra). His robe is draped on his left shoulder, showing his bare right chest. The Medicine Buddha represents the Buddha’s ability to embody healing for all beings. The medicine bowl is believed to hold an elixir that can heal any form of sickness. It is believed that worshipping the Medicine Buddha would bring good health and cure any sickness. Although the gold gilding is hardly preserved, the bronze underneath is of excellent quality as reflected by its shimmering crystalisations. While it is very uncommon to examine the bronze part of a gilt-bronze sculpture closely, it is an opportunity to study the original form of the sculpture in depth.