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Longxing Temple Mani Hall: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
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Longxing Temple Mani Hall: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
CHINA, Hebei, Shijiazhuang; Ming dynasty (1368–1644); Clay
The main statues housed in the temple’s Mani Hall are Sakyamuni Buddha, Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas. Behind them is a horizontal screen wall with Mount Sumeru carved into the back of it. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is surrounded by mountain foliage and a miniature leopard and elephant on either side.
The bejeweled Bodhisattva leans forward with head inclined to one side. Both hands encircle the raised right leg that rests on the pendent left leg, which is supported by a lotus growing from the pool beneath. The statue has been called the back-to-front Bodhisattva due to the fact that it faces north while the hall faces south. |
