Mogao Cave 275: Maitreya Bodhisattva

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Northern Liang Kingdom

This sculpture is enshrined in the center of the back (west) wall. Maitreya Bodhisattva is depicted sitting with legs crossed at the ankles upon a lion throne. The right forearm of the figure is raised, but the hand is missing. The left hand is placed palm up on the knee. On the head is a triple-disc crown with a Buddha image in the center. The oval-faced Bodhisattva has wide eyes, a thin nose, and a small mouth that turns up in a smile. The elongated and pierced earlobes extend to the shoulders. Maitreya wears a wide necklace and a long chest ornament. The upper body is bare, with just a stole covering the shoulders. The close-fitting lower garment is carved with prominent folds. The Bodhisattva’s bare feet rest on two circular pedestals. The throne has a square base and a triangular backrest. Two lions with wide eyes and open mouths stand beside the Bodhisattva.