Bodhisatva at the National Museum

A black statue of the Buddha fastingsitting cross-legged with upturned hands, a gaunt face, haggard eyes and sallow cheeksgrabbed visitor attention at the latest National Museum exhibition. Veins protrude from the statue's rib cage; his stomach is a hollow pit; the Buddha looks to be all skin and bones.

The statue featured prominently among other replicas of Buddhist artifacts on display at the Buddha CarikaIn the Footsteps of Shakyamuni Buddha exhibition at the National Museum in Jakarta last week.