Wutaishan Xiantong Temple Thousand Bowl Manjusri Hall: Manjusri with Thousand Bowls

CHINA, Shanxi, Xinzhou; Ming dynasty

The Sutra on Manjusri with Thousand Arms and Thousand Bowls describes the Bodhisattva as having a golden body and wearing a crown inlaid with the seven treasures, on top of which are the heads of the Five Dhyani Buddhas. Each of the thousand hands hold an alms bowl with a Buddha contained inside.
The statue depicts Manjusri seated with legs pendent on a lion. The crowned heads extend upwards, one above the other. Two of the larger arms are extended above the heads, holding lotuses with an image of a Buddha inside. Two other hands hold alms bowls with a Buddha seated inside. The remaining two hands hold a vajra and bell. The smaller arms of the figure fan out to either side, each holding an alms bowl with an image of Sakyamuni, as mentioned in the sutra.