Wutaishan Foguang Temple East Hall Sculptures

CHINA, Shanxi, Xinzhou; Tang dynasty

The building is the main hall of the temple and houses a platform that contains the Three Buddhas: Sakyamuni, Amitabha, and Maitreya, who are accompanied by Bodhisattvas and disciples. Samantabhadra is located at the southern corner of the building, riding an elephant and attended by Bodhisattvas and a mahout. Nearby are statues of Skanda, a Heavenly King, and the figure of Ning Gongyu, the person responsible for the reconstruction of the East Hall in 857. The northern corner features Manjusri riding a lion, accompanied by Bodhisattvas and the lion keeper. The statues grouped in the center were predominantly created during the Tang dynasty (618–907). A seated statue of a monk is located under the window of the third bay. A row of Arhats, added during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), line the northern and southern ends of the building.