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North Xiangtangshan Grottoes Changle Temple: Maitreya Buddha
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North Xiangtangshan Grottoes Changle Temple: Maitreya Buddha
CHINA, Hebei, Handan; Tang dynasty (618–907); Stone; H: 43.5 cm; Fengfeng Mining District Administration Office of Cultural Heritage, Hebei, China
This statue was discovered at the site of Changle Temple at North Xiangtangshan Grottoes. Maitreya Buddha is seated on a Sumeru throne with both legs pendent. The Bodhisattva’s hair is arranged in whorls on either side of a center parting and builds to a gem-decorated usnisa. The figure wears monastic robes that hang loosely about the upper body and cling to the legs. The damaged right hand is raised in what may have been the vitarka (teaching) mudra. The throne is backed by a plain mandorla that is broken at the top. |
