Each time I visit the museum, I seek out this thousand-year-old ceramic statue. Known as an arhat, or protector of Buddhism, he sits on a high pedestal and looks down with a stare as bottomless as time. Never have I felt so judged. Or wanting. His gaze leaves me questioning my life choices and entire personality. And I keep returning to him for this sensation.
![December 9, 2020](/content/images/size/w1600/wordpress/2020/12/Arhat-scaled-scaled.jpg)