Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Buddhas

CHINA; Northern Wei dynasty

The depiction of the Buddhas with separate mandorlas is different from previous periods, when both Buddhas shared one mandorla. The two figures sit in almost symmetrical postures with their angular bodies turned toward each other. Both figures are in the relaxation posture with one leg pendent. Both their left hands are in the abhaya (fearlessness) mudras. The monastic robes they wear are opened at the front and the garments spill over the bench in sharply defined folds.
The bench is supported on a four-legged stand that has a pair of lions and a mountain censer. The donors, in low relief, are on the stand above the censer. These two donors are the brother monks Tanren and Daomi, who dedicated the work in 518 on behalf of their parents according to the inscription.