Standing Buddha

Gal Vihara, Polonnaruwa

This is the second statue from the right. It is 7m (23 ft) tall; a standing person would come up to somewhere around his knees. His arms-crossed posture is unusual, and has elicited some technical discussions that - to summarize - have identified this figure as either Ananda (but probably not, in current opinion as of 2008), or else as the Buddha in the second week after his enlightenment (Rough Guide, p. 367, and Jayasuriya, p. 84). The figure stands upon a lotus throne. His subtle bend at the waist, that is consistent with his turned-out left foot, is admirable.