Gyangbu Monastery Vairocana Hall: Amoghasiddhi Buddha

CHINA, Tibet, Shigatse

Originally located in the now destroyed monastery in Shigatse, this is one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas from its Vairocana Hall. The figure wears a three-leaf crown, the style attributed to the early Pala period (circa 8th–12th century) of India. The tasseled stole worn across the upper body and the long skirt have a pattern of floral rosettes. The Buddha is regally ornamented and sits in full lotus position on an angled lion throne that is ornately decorated with swirling vine patterns interspersed with small animals. Instead of the flat-palmed abhaya (fearlessness) mudra usually associated with Amoghasiddhi, the thumb and ring finger of the right hand are bent forward. The auerole is extremely ornate and exudes a Central Asian flair, however, the nimbus still retains the Pala style.