Huayan Lower Temple Bhagavad Sutra Hall: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva

CHINA, Shanxi, Datong; Liao dynasty

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is seated against the south wall of the Bhagavad Sutra Hall on the left side of Maitreya Buddha. The Bodhisattava sits in a half lotus position on a lotus throne that is supported on a hexagonal Sumeru base. The figure wears a high cylindrical headdress decorated with floral designs and small pendants. The way the statue has been presented and the headdress were styles often seen during the Liao (907–1125) and Jin (1115–1234) dynasties. Ribbons and braids of hair drape down the shoulders while numerous stoles twine about the arms, one of which is raised and the hand elegantly gesturing. The ends of the stoles trail across the magnificent garment to spill over the edge of the throne. Behind Ksitigarbha is an aureole and nimbus surrounded by an ornately carved mandorla.