Hokkeji Temple: Vimalakirti
Nutmeg wood
Hokkeji Temple: Vimalakirti
JAPAN, Nara; Heian period
The statue was created in the early 9th century and is considered a good representation of the transitioning style between the Nara (710–794) and Heian (794–1185) periods. The figure was carved from nutmeg wood with details molded in dry lacquer. It was listed as an Important Cultural Property in 1899.
The sculpture represents the episode in the Vimalakirti Sutra in which the learned layman, Vimalakirti, is visited on his sickbed by Manjusri Bodhisattva who then debates with him. Vimalakirti’s head is covered with a cloth as he sits loosely cross-legged. His belted robe hangs off his sickly body but he looks down peacefully with hooded eyes. The implement placed in his gesturing hands may be a later addition.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture G-M, page 434.
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 = 434,
title = {{Hokkeji Temple: Vimalakirti}},
volume = 11,
year = {2016}}