Shakyamuni Buddha was an Indian sage who attained enlightenment and upon his teachings Buddhism was founded. He was an Indian prince who was discontent with the affluence of royalty and seeked a greater meaning to the purpose of life. He concluded that ending the suffering of all the sentient beings of the world was the true path and therefore gave up everything including his family in pursuit of how to accomplish this. He retreated to the life of a humble sage and through meditation and teachings finally attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree in Lumbini, India.

The purpose of statues is to meditate upon or be inspired by the meaning behind the statue. Usually a Buddha is simply a representation of an idea like compassion, selfishness or wisdom and therefore praying upon the Buddha that represents that idea it serves as a reminder. Also it is believed that simply being around the Buddha statue it brings a aura of positive energy and inner peace.