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Zhenguo Temple Ten Thousand Buddha Hall Sculptures
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Zhenguo Temple Ten Thousand Buddha Hall Sculptures
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Zhenguo Temple Ten Thousand Buddha Hall Sculptures
CHINA, Shanxi, Jinzhong; Northern Han Kingdom (951–979), dated 963; Clay
The sculptures within the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall include Sakyamuni Buddha flanked by ten attendants. The Buddha is seated in full lotus position at the center with his right hand in abhaya (fearlessness) mudra. His waist is elongated. An ornate mandorla rises behind the throne. The disciples Mahakasyapa and Ananda stand on each side while four Bodhisattvas and two Heavenly Kings stand in rows. Near the center, two children kneel on raised lotuses and make offerings.
Apart from the Buddha, who is dated later, the statues date from the Five Dynasties (907–960) period, but their configuration is stylistically reminiscent of the Tang dynasty (618–907). They have been repainted and are the only other surviving relics from their period, apart from those found in the Dunhuang Caves. |
