Buddha+Research

"Tibetan Book of the Dead". University of Virginia. 9/9/09 . (images 3 & 4 as well)
 * Right Hand touches ground in full-lotus position as he did when he summoned the goddess of earth to witness that he achieved nirvana.
 * 84 Great adepts of Indian Tantric Buddhism. Most famous is Naropa
 * Adepts usually eccentric and rebellious
 * Virupa is an Indian Saint and central figure of lineage

Thong, Ang. "Sitting Buddha". 9/9/09 . (Images 1 & 2 as well)
 * Searched "Sitting AND Buddha in Yahoo
 * Half-Lotus position, also known as the Hero-Position or virasana
 * Full-Lotus position, also known as diamond posture
 * Full-Lotus is common in India
 * Half-Lotus is most common in Thailand
 * European pose, also known as pralambapadasana. Legs hang down like sitting in a chair

The Origin of the Buddha Image, by Ananda K. CoomaraswamyThe Art Bulletin © 1927
 * The first Buddha images were not in human form originally but in symbols
 * Where Buddha image could have possibly first formed
 * Prejudices that Europeans had against Indians