Wutaishan Xiantong Temple Thousand Bowl Manjusri Hall: Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas

CHINA, Shanxi, Xinzhou; Ming dynasty

These two Bodhisattvas flank the central figure within the Thousand Bowl Manjusri Hall. The figure seated on the blue lion is an unconventional version of Manjusri who has been made to look venerable and has blue hair. The figure is seated sideways on his mount in the relaxation posture, while holding a ruyi (wish-fulfilling talisman) and wears thin robes over a gaunt body. The pendent left foot rests upon a lotus while the other leg bends upward to show a Dharma wheel on the sole of the foot. The lion holds a large ring in its mouth.
Samantabhadra is also portrayed as elderly. The Bodhisattva sits in the relaxation posture on a white elephant. The Avatamsaka Sutra is held in both hands and the figure is dressed in much the same way as Manjusri. It is also rare to see the Bodhisattva being presented as an elderly man.