Longxing Temple: Bodhisattva in Contemplation
Limestone
Longxing Temple: Bodhisattva in Contemplation (detail)
Longxing Temple: Bodhisattva in Contemplation
CHINA, Shandong, Qingzhou; Northern Qi dynasty
Unearthed from the Longxing Temple site in 1996, the contemplative figure is missing large portions of the arms. Normally such a Bodhisattva sits with one hand supporting the face and the other resting on the foot where one leg is thrown over the other.
The headdress has a red inner band decorated with gold discs and tassels, and green and yellow ribbons hanging from sidepieces. Experts believe the sculpture’s design was influenced by Central Asian styles. The upper body is decorated with a collar necklace and stoles that drape about the shoulders. The skirt has a long tie hanging across the raised leg as well as colored hems. The figure is seated upon a throne with a dragon at the bottom, emitting lotus flowers from its mouth, on one of which the Bodhisattva’s foot is resting.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture G-M, page 626.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Lovelock, Yann and Chou, Yuan and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture G-M},
pages = 626,
title = {{Longxing Temple: Bodhisattva in Contemplation}},
volume = 11,
year = {2016}}