Lingquan Temple Old Great Hero Hall: Sakyamuni Buddha Triad

TAIWAN, Keelung

The three statues are enshrined in the old Great Hero Hall at Lingquan Temple. The Buddha sits on a many-petaled lotus throne in full lotus position with hands in the dhyana (meditation) mudra. The figure of the Buddha is larger than Mahakasyapa and Ananda, his two disciples, who stand on lotus pedestals and are slightly turned towards him with hands in anjali (reverence) mudra. Mahakasyapa is portrayed as old while Ananda is more youthful, and both wear monastic robes. Behind the Buddha is a circular golden nimbus with a decorated rim and a fretted blazing surround that stands out against the painted mountain shapes that divide off the shrine from the one behind.