Keru Monastery Sculptures: Sakyamuni Buddha
Clay
Keru Monastery Sculptures: Eight Great Bodhisattvas
Keru Monastery Sculptures
CHINA, Tibet, Lhoka
The Keru Monastery was built during the rule of the King Me Agtsom (reigned 704–755). The sculptures are predominantly located in its main building. Seated is the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, flanked by four Bodhisattvas with a Dharma protector on either side. Located at the entrance are colored sculptures of couples dressed as Bodhisattvas making offerings. The rest of the building is vividly decorated with floral designs and animal depictions.
The Sakyamuni figure, dates from King Me Agtsom’s reign, and is of colored clay and shows the influence of contemporary sculptures at Dunhuang and Yutian. The face is realistically portrayed and the cross-legged figure wears a heavy brocade under which the shape of the body is hidden. The polychrome Bodhisattvas that postdate the main statue appear conventional and stiff by comparison.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture G-M, page 530.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Lovelock, Yann and Chou, Yuan and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture G-M},
pages = 530,
title = {{Keru Monastery Sculptures}},
volume = 11,
year = {2016}}