The Buddha’s Throne Is Empty!

Legend has it that after the Buddha gained enlightenment, he stayed near the Bodhi tree for six weeks. His practices of severe self-mortification had left him too weak to venture far.

He sat meditating—restoring his body. But a storm approached with heavy rain, wind, and darkness. Seeing the Buddha exposed and in danger, a great nāga king, Mucalinda, came to rescue him.

Mucalinda wrapped him in seven serpent coils—like the seven factors of awakening—and shielded him beneath five cobra hoods—like the five Vāyus of prāṇa, the restraint and breadth of Ānāpānasati.

Ancient statues depict this throne empty to point to the Buddha’s attainment of anattā (non-self). The Buddha’s throne is empty because it asks you to sit!