Guangzhai Temple Seven Jewel Tower: Buddha Triad Niche
Limestone
Guangzhai Temple Seven Jewel Tower: Buddha Triad Niche
CHINA, Shaanxi, Xi’an; Wu Zhou period
In the center of this niche is a Buddha with a high usnisa and wearing a monastic robe that bares the right shoulder. The figure’s right hand is in bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra. The throne on which the Buddha is seated is decorated with a mountain censer and two kneeling figures, one paying respect and the other making an offering.
The accompanying Bodhisattvas have peach-shaped nimbuses, while the Buddha’s is circular in shape. The Bodhisattvas wear necklaces and bracelets and also a stole across their upper body. Their knotted skirts allow the shape of the legs to show through. The protruding lintel above the group is formed by a semicircle of a leafing Bodhi tree, with two apsaras on either end.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture G-M, page 384.
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 = 384,
title = {{Guangzhai Temple Seven Jewel Tower: Buddha Triad Niche}},
volume = 11,
year = {2016}}