Shizhongshan Grottoes Niche 7: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
Shizhongshan Grottoes Niche 7: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
Shizhongshan Grottoes Niche 7
CHINA, Yunnan, Dali
Situated in the vicinity of Shizhong Temple, Niche 7 was sculpted during the Nanzhao (752–902) and Dali (937–1253) Kingdoms. It occupies a rectangular area 11.38 m wide, 3.2 m high, and 0.66 m deep.
A sculpture of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva seated upon a diamond throne is located in the middle of the niche. The figure’s two bare feet rest on lotus pedestals. Avalokitesvara wears earrings, a necklace, flowing robes, and a headdress adorned with a Buddha image. The right hand held a willow branch, which is now missing, and an alms bowl is held in front of the chest in the left hand. A nimbus and an aureole with flame patterns can be seen behind the Bodhisattva. A female attendant stands on either side. Their hair is tied up and they both wear large-sleeved robes. The attendant on the left holds a sutra container, while the one on the right has a vase.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves Mo-S, page 1396.
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 Mo-S},
pages = 1396,
title = {{Shizhongshan Grottoes Niche 7}},
volume = 8,
year = {2016}}