Ansheng

CHINA; Tang dynasty

Ansheng was a sculptor who, according to Shanxi Gazetteer, created the statue of Prince Siddhartha at Taizi Temple in Shanxi between 710 and 711. In 845, many temples in the area were being destroyed; and so the statue was hidden in a safe place. The statue was brought back to its original location between 1308 and 1311.
According to Comprehensive History of Wutai, Master Fayun of Xiantong Temple in Shanxi requested Ansheng to sculpt a statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva. Ansheng told the master that he would not carve the statue until he saw the Bodhisattva himself. He offered incense and prayed reverently, and suddenly Manjusri appeared before him. Overjoyed, Ansheng knelt down and implored the Bodhisattva to remain in his presence while he sculpted his image. After the completion of the statue, the temple became famous and many people came to pay homage. The temple thus also became known as Zhenrong Yuan Manjusri Temple.