Sakyamuni Buddha

CHINA; Northern Wei dynasty

The Buddha is seated in full lotus position with the right hand in abhaya (fearlessness) mudra and the left hand securing the fold of the monastic robe about the wrist. The robe leaves the right shoulder bare and one edge is brought forward neatly over the left in the Indian fashion. The Buddha is seated on a Sumeru throne guarded by lions at the corners. The inner section of the blazing mandorla includes small images of seven meditating Buddhas.
The mandorla’s reverse side is covered in intricate illustrations. The very center depicts the first teaching at Sarnath, while above this scene, Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna are seated side by side during an exposition of the Lotus Sutra. Flanking the scene are Vimalakirti and Manjusri debating the Dharma. Prince Siddhartha’s birth and other incidents from the Buddha’s life are depicted below the central figure.
The statue and its ornate four-legged stand were cast together, while the mandorla was made separately and attached by tenons. The statue was dedicated in 477 on behalf of the donor’s family members, living and dead, according to an inscription on the back of the stand.