This was the first Buddha image Del Bagno owned. It came from a G. I. Joe action set.

“I was one of those kids who was rough on their toys, breaking off bits and pieces. I always wanted to pluck off that jewel on the Buddha’s forehead, but I never did. There was just something about the gracefulness of the Buddha I respected.”

The image is based on the Great Buddha located at Kotoku-in Temple. Del Bagno was able to pay his respects there during one of his temple pilgrimages in Japan.