 |
Daxian Temple Great Hero Hall: Illustration of the Great Compassion Dharani Sutra
|
| |
 |
Daxian Temple Great Hero Hall: Illustration of the Great Compassion Dharani Sutra
|
| |
|
Daxian Temple Great Hero Hall: Illustration of the Great Compassion Dharani Sutra
TAIWAN, Tainan; circa 1973; By Pan Li-Shui
Painted on the wall behind the Buddha niche at the Great Hero Hall of Daxian Temple, this huge mural by the famous artist Pan Li-Shui depicts 88 deities, representing the 88 phrases of the Great Compassion Dharani Sutra. The original sutra contains 84 phrases. During the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), four more deities were added to the sutra illustration, making a total of 88 deities. Such depictions were prevalent along the south-eastern coast of China, and this mural is based on the sutra illustration from Putuoshan.
Three-Headed, Eighteen-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is in the center of the mural, sitting in full lotus position on a lotus throne. The hair of the main head is tied into two knots above a golden crown. Flame patterns surround the mandorla. Two of the palms are joined in front of the chest, while below them are another pair of hands supporting a small golden stupa. The two upper hands hold up a Buddha image. Moving from top to bottom, the pairs of hands hold discs inscribed with the Chinese characters for sun" and "moon |
