Qinglian Lower Temple Sculptures

CHINA, Shanxi, Jincheng; Tang dynasty

These statues are located in the temple’s main hall and south hall. There are seven Song dynasty (960–1279) statues which were repainted in 1746. The central figure is Sakyamuni, who presides under a canopy, seated with legs pendent on a bench. There are damaged statues of a child making an offering and a Dharma protector. The disciples, Mahakasyapa and Ananda are standing on either side of the Buddha with clasped hands. The two disciples are depicted as an elderly man and a youth, respectively. The Bodhisattvas Manjusri and Samantabhadra sit facing each other beyond the disciples in the relaxation posture, their hands gesturing as if in discussion.
Seven statues from the Tang dynasty (618–907), placed in much the same grouping as in the main hall, are located in the south hall. The main differences between the statues in these two halls are the two smaller figures that have been replaced with Heavenly Kings.