This plate represents a caravan of nomads traveling with their yaks in a desertic plain of the high Tibetan plateau. Tibet is the highest plateau in the world, with an average altitude of 3600m over the sea level. For this reason, it is often known as the “Roof of the world” and it is surrounded by three principal mountain ranges: Himalayas to the south, Kunlun Mountains to the north, and the Karakoram to the west.
 
Near this plate is a representation of historical Buddha Shakyamuni (ABS 009). The word Buddha literally means “awakened one”. Historically, it was first used to designate Shakyamuni, who lived in the 6th century BCE in northern India and whose teachings constitute the basis of Buddhism. Shakyamuni became a Buddha when reaching Enlightenment (a complete and direct experience and understanding of the true nature of reality), freeing himself from the endless cycle of suffering and rebirth that is samsara. Buddha is not a personal name but a title designating a state of realization and virtually, every sentient being is able to become a Buddha through the practice of the Doctrine. Buddhas possess distinctive physical marks visible on their artistic representations, among which the cranial protuberance (ushnisha), a tuft of hair between the eyebrows (urna), distended earlobes, etc. and they are usually represented wearing monastic robes.