Tianlongshan Cave 4: Seated Buddha
Tianlongshan Cave 4: Seated Buddha
CHINA, Shanxi, Taiyuan; Tang dynasty
This niche, situated on the back (north) wall, houses sculptures of a seated Buddha and two disciples. The head and right arm of the Buddha are damaged, thus what remains now measures 47 cm in height, 15 cm shorter than the original. There is a petal-shaped nimbus and an aureole behind the Buddha.
The Buddha has wide shoulders and a slim waist and wears a thin, tight-fitting monastic robe across the left shoulder. The left hand is placed on the lap, and the legs are in full lotus position on the square Sumeru throne. The lower garment wraps both legs tightly, while the central part of the garment hangs in front of the throne. This depiction of the lower garment was typical of Longmen Grotto sculptures during the Early Tang period (618–712).
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z, page 1445.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z},
pages = 1445,
title = {{Tianlongshan Cave 4: Seated Buddha}},
volume = 9,
year = {2016}}