Yaowangshan Rock Carvings Niche 8: Seated Buddha
Stone
Yaowangshan Rock Carvings Niche 8: Seated Buddha
CHINA, Shaanxi, Yaoxian; Tang dynasty
Located in the east area, this niche is 49 cm in width, approximately 68 cm in height, and 10 cm in depth. Carved inside is a relief of a seated Buddha from the Tang dynasty (618–907), with the head re-sculpted in 1612 of the Ming dynasty.
The Buddha has a usnisa and a nimbus surrounding the head. A monastic robe leaves the right shoulder bare. Unfortunately, both hands are missing. The Buddha is seated in a relaxation posture on a square Sumeru throne.
Reliefs of the six realms on clouds are carved on both sides of the Buddha. Three clouds on the left side support figures representing the heavenly realm, asura realm, and human realm. Three other clouds on the right support characters that represent the animal realm, hell realm, and hungry ghost realm.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z, page 1546.
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 = 1546,
title = {{Yaowangshan Rock Carvings Niche 8: Seated Buddha}},
volume = 9,
year = {2016}}