Tianlongshan Cave 3: Seated Buddhas

CHINA, Shanxi, Taiyuan; Eastern Wei dynasty

Situated on the back (north), east, and west walls, three niches with arches are each sculpted with a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas. Of the three central statues, only the one on the west wall was removed, while the figures on the east and back walls have been partially preserved, with missing heads and degraded arms.
The tip of the Buddha’s mandorla on the back wall extends to the lotuses at the top of the arch. The neck, head, and arms have been lost. The left and right hands seem to have originally displayed the varada (wish-granting) and abhaya (fearlessness) mudras respectively. The upper body leans slightly forward, and wears an inner robe with a sash at the abdomen and a loose monastic robe covering both shoulders. The lower garment is loose-fitting and drapes down the front of the throne. The Buddha sits in full lotus position on a Sumeru throne with the right foot revealed.
The Bodhisattvas flanking the Buddha both have damage to the head and arms. They wear similar attire, including the robes and pleated lower garments.