Portable Shrine with Illustration of the Lotus Sutra

CHINA; Song dynasty

This portable wooden shrine consists of a central panel and foldable side panels. It measures 19 cm high and 21.1 cm wide when opened.
The central panel is carved in high relief and illustrates the Buddha teaching the Dharma and the emergence of a seven-story pagoda rising up to the sky, as mentioned in the “Chapter on the Emergence of the Prabhutaratna Pagoda” in the Lotus Sutra. The panel has three tiers, each decorated with string pearls and roll grass patterns at the rim. The middle tier shows a seated Sakyamuni Buddha, on either side of whom are disciples Mahakasyapa and Ananda, wearing robes and standing respectfully with joined palms. Accompanying them are other disciples and figures making offerings, as well as Dharma protectors at the sides. The upper tier contains a three-story pagoda, with Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Buddha sitting on the first story. The lower tier is decorated with draperies on the top and balustrades on the bottom, with four seated heavenly musicians holding instruments.
The side chambers both have four tiers. On the left side of the top tier is Manjusri Bodhisattva sitting on a lion, and on the right is Samantabhadra Bodhisattva on an elephant. The remaining three tiers vividly depict the Eighteen Arhats in different poses.