Guangsheng Upper Temple Sculptures

CHINA, Shanxi, Linfen; Yuan dynasty

The sculptures are located within Guangsheng Upper Temple. A statue of Amitabha Buddha sits in full lotus position upon a lotus throne inside Amitabha Hall. Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta are on either side of the central figure, both wearing tall crowns and standing on lotus pedestals that are carried on the back of mythical creatures. Smaller statues of seated Buddhas flank the larger Amitabha.
The main statue in the adjoining Great Hero Hall is Sakyamuni Buddha, who is flanked by Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas. There are also statues of a lion and its keeper and an elephant with its mahout. The Eighteen Arhats are located along the east and west walls of the hall.
The Vairocana Hall enshrines Vairocana, Aksobhya, and Amitabha Buddhas, as well as the Four Great Bodhisattvas of Avalokitesavara, Manjusri, Smanatabhadra, and Maitreya, in addition to the Four Heavenly Kings. Two side walls are filled with 35 wooden niches, each containing an iron Buddha. Paintings of the Fifty-Three Buddhas are above the niches. The three main Buddhas are in full lotus position and seated upon lotus thrones that are supported by openwork Sumeru thrones. The hands of each Buddha form different mudras. The complex mandorlas behind them are worth noting. The four Bodhisattvas stand upon lotus pedestals. Their hair is secured in high topknots and adorned with flowers, while their rounded faces are slightly stubbled with hair. They wear breast plates decorated with ornaments. The elegant Bodhisattvas wear long lower garments that are tied at the waist while their stoles drape across their shoulders and hang down the body.