Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and Attendants
Gilt bronze
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and Attendants
CHINA; Sui dynasty
This group of seven figures has Avalokitesvara in the middle while the attendant Bodhisattvas, disciples and warriors are arranged in symmetrical configuration. The figures were cast separately then riveted in place. Avalokitesvara’s oversized right hand is raised in the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra. The stole draped around the arm hangs down beyond the inverted lotus pedestal. The Bodhisattva is enclosed by a lotus-petal mandorla engraved with scrolled clouds.
Leaf-shaped nimbuses back the heads of the attendant Bodhisattvas. The two disciples stand with palms joined in the anjali (reverence) mudra and are flanked by warriors. Dharma protecting lions crouch at the feet of the four-legged stand, on which an inscription states a Buddhist disciple commissioned the statue in 596.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F, page 102.
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 A-F},
pages = 102,
title = {{Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and Attendants}},
volume = 10,
year = {2016}}