This painting presents the historical Buddha Shakyamuni at the moment of his enlightenment, when he makes the earth-witness gesture with his right hand, reaching down to touch the earth and call upon the earth goddess to witness his accumulated merits. He sits in a meditative posture and his left hand forms the gesture of contemplation. Flanking him are protective leogryphs standing on elephants, while a pair of white lions guards the platform on which he sits. Shakymuni is accompanied by his great disciples, Shariputra and Maudgalyayana, representing mystical and intellectual powers. This triad is surrounded by numerous protector deities, arhats, and lamas.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Shakyamuni is a Teaching Buddha and Supreme Emanation, a perfected being who has awakened from the sleep of ignorance and who embodies perfect wisdom and compassion. Images such as this are meant to inspire, and communicate through aesthetic means the experience of enlightenment.