Chongqing Temple Hall of the Three Great Bodhisattvas Sculptures

CHINA, Shanxi, Changzhi; Northern Song dynasty

These statues are located within the Hall of the Three Great Bodhisattvas on a 46 cm high platform with an inscription stating they were made in 1079. The Bodhisattvas are identified as Avalokitesvara in the center, Manjusri on the right, and Samantabhadra on the left. Avalokitesvara was the most popular of the three during the Song dynasty (960–1279), and was therefore placed in the center. This formation became the standard for these three Bodhisattvas.
All three figures wear crowns and their upper bodies are draped in stoles while their lower bodies are covered in long dhotis. They sit on lotus thrones on their mounts: Avalokitesvara is seated in a variation of the relaxation posture and rides a qilin; Manjusri sits with legs pendent and rides on a lion; Samantabhadra is seated in the relaxation posture on an elephant. There are also statues of the Eighteen Arhats along the sides of the hall.