Longmen Grotto 140: Maitreya Buddha Triad

CHINA, Henan, Luoyang; Northern Wei dynasty

The standing Maitreya Buddha is located on the south wall and is flanked by two attendant Bodhisattvas. Maitreya’s nimbus is identical to that of the Buddha on the back (west) wall, and the mandorla is decorated with a flame pattern. Maitreya has high arched brows and an urna in the center of the forehead. The eyes are long and open, the nose is short, and the thin lips form a gentle smile. A loose monastic robe is draped over both shoulders and open down the center, revealing an inner robe. The left hand is held palm out near the waist with the index finger pointing down, while the right hand forms the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra. The Buddha stands barefoot on an inverted lotus pedestal.
The two attendant Bodhisattvas are damaged. They wear headdresses and have petal-shaped nimbuses decorated with flame patterns. Adorned with necklaces and long stoles, which loop upwards and cross at the knees, their garments flow down to the lotus pedestals upon which they stand barefooted.