Fo Guang Shan Monastery Pure Land Cave: Arhats

TAIWAN, Kaohsiung

The cave was design by Master Hsing Yun in 1981 to show the humanistic side of the Pure Land. The eastern portion of the cave depicts Sakyamuni Buddha teaching the Amitabha Sutra at Jetavana Monastery. He is located at the center of the room with his disciples ranged along the sides. The scene is to represent the assembly of Bodhisattvas and 1,250 Arhats as described in the sutra.
The more famous Arhats, 16 in total, are larger in size and located on platforms. The seated figures are about 176 cm high, while the standing ones measure about 259 cm. The remaining Arhats are smaller in size, measuring about 88 cm to 125 cm and are distributed on sculpted terraces. The Arhats are depicted either standing in small groups, debating in pairs, or sitting alone. Each figure has individual characteristics to show that the Pure Land accepts people of all kinds without discrimination.