Ruiguang Temple Pagoda: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
Copper alloy
Ruiguang Temple Pagoda: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
CHINA, Jiangsu, Suzhou; Song dynasty
This statue depicts Ksitigarbha as a monk. It was discovered in the heavenly palace on the third story of the pagoda in 1978. The figure is seated on a hollow throne in the relaxation posture with the overhanging left leg resting upon a small lotus pedestal. The Bodhisattva holds a wish-fulfilling jewel in the right hand.
The figure wears a monastic robe over the left shoulder with one end folded over the other shoulder. The Bodhisattva’s status as a monk is further indicated by the clean-shaven head, beneath which the facial features are almost rudimentary, with eyebrows and eyes simply incised. The composition is supported on a rectangular openwork stand.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture N-Sr, page 884.
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 N-Sr},
pages = 884,
title = {{Ruiguang Temple Pagoda: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva}},
volume = 12,
year = {2016}}