Tianlongshan Cave 2: Seated Buddhas

CHINA, Shanxi, Taiyuan; Eastern Wei dynasty

There are three niches in this cave, one per wall, each of which houses a Buddha flanked by two Bodhisattvas standing outside the niche. The back (north) wall has a niche with a canopy and a main statue whose head was lost and replaced with an exact replica in the 1980s. The Buddha sits in full lotus position with a mandorla in the background. The figure is slender and wears a loose monastic robe with thick folds. Both arms are damaged. The bare right foot protrudes from the lower garment that loosely suspended in three layers over the Sumeru throne.
The heads of the main statues in the remaining niches have been removed. They sit with legs pendent, wearing loose monastic robes with heavy folds that sag in a U shape between the thighs. The right hands are damaged, while the left hands display the varada (wish-granting) mudra. The appearance of these headless figures is similar to that of the Buddha on the back wall.