Gaanderij van de Borobudur (Boroboedoer) met een beeld van Boeddha, nabij Magelang, Nederlands-Indië c. 1895 - 1915

This photograph by Onnes Kurkdjian captures a gallery of Borobudur, near Magelang, in the Dutch East Indies. A serene Buddha statue sits enshrined, hands posed in the Dhyana Mudra of meditation, a symbol of inner peace and enlightenment. Consider how this very gesture echoes across epochs, from ancient Indian sculptures to contemporary art. This act of meditative contemplation transcends cultural boundaries, a primal quest for serenity. Note how the lotus position, the half-closed eyes—these are not merely aesthetic choices, but are laden with centuries of spiritual practice. The cyclical nature of this symbol resonates deeply within the human psyche. Like the ouroboros, the snake eating its tail, the Dhyana Mudra reflects a cosmic unity, an eternal return to the self, evoking a deep emotional and psychological response.