Guangsheng Upper Temple Great Hero Hall: Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas

CHINA, Shanxi, Linfen; Ming dynasty

These statues are located on either side of Sakyamuni Buddha in the Great Hero Hall. Manjusri wears a headdress that features three Buddhas as well as a collared golden robe that is bulky and has wide sleeves. The Bodhisattva sits with legs crossed on a lotus throne that is supported on the back of a lion. The lion keeper, depicted with a beard and curly hair, and in Central Asian outfit, keeps a tight reign on the animal.
Samantabhadra wears a headdress that features only one Buddha as well as a necklace and a stole. Like Manjusri, Samantabhadra is also seated on a lotus throne carried on the back of an ornately harnassed elephant. Standing beside the animal is a bearded mahout, who wears a circlet and has his hair tied in a double-topknot. The mahout appears to be threatening the beast, who turns to look at him.