Dafo Temple Great Buddha Hall: Life of the Buddha - Parinirvana

CHINA, Gansu, Zhangye; Western Xia period

This statue, known as the Reclining Buddha, is the main statue in the Great Buddha Hall. The statue is made from clay with wooden frames supporting the inside. It has a height of 1.5 m. The exterior is painted and gilded. A lead plaque, found inside the piece in 1966 stated the statue was created in the year 1099.
The statue was created according to descriptions in the Mahaparinirvana Sutra. The figure lies on the right side and faces west, with the head on the north side. The left leg rests on top of the right leg. The right arm is bent under the head and the left arm lies flat across the hip. The eyes appear closed when viewed from afar but are actually slightly opened. Directly behind the Buddha are the Ten Great Disciples. The Eighteen Arhats are located along the side walls. A few lay followers stand beside the Buddha’s head and feet.