Yaowangshan Rock Carvings Niche 2: Maitreya Bodhisattva
Stone
Yaowangshan Rock Carvings Niche 2: Maitreya Bodhisattva
CHINA, Shaanxi, Yaoxian; Sui dynasty
This niche is located in the east area. From the late Northern Dynasties (386–581) to the Tang dynasty (618–907), depictions of Maitreya Buddha became more popular. Physical representations gradually developed from a Maitreya in the cross-legged Bodhisattva style of the Northern Dynasties to the Tang-style Maitreya Buddha sitting with legs pendent or in full lotus position.
Maitreya is depicted with a rounded face, a high-bridged nose, and fine, narrow eyebrows. The ears are elongated and the figure wears a slight smile. A U-shaped medallion hangs down to the Buddha’s knees. The right hand is missing while the left hand grasps a flower garland. The figure is seated with legs pendent upon a Sumeru throne.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z, page 1545.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z},
pages = 1545,
title = {{Yaowangshan Rock Carvings Niche 2: Maitreya Bodhisattva}},
volume = 9,
year = {2016}}