The sculpture is a larger-than-life standing figure missing its head and both hands. It is carved in a pillar-like form and wears a simple monk’s robe. Every inch of the robe is filled with intricate reliefthree-dimensional forms that protrude from a flat surface. carvings. The front of the robe shows a symbolic map of the Buddhist universe, called the Realms of Existence. Start at the top of the chest and scan down to the bottom hem of the garment. The realm of divinities appears in the section beneath the neck. Directly below, Mount Meru, the center of the universe, is depicted as a pillar wrapped with a pair of dragons. It is flanked by giant multiarmed demigods. Sufferers in Buddhist hells are shown far below, near the feet. In between are the realms of humans, animals, and spirits. A similar hierarchy of heaven above earth is shown on the back. On the sleeves of the figure are stories about the past lives of Shakyamuni(Shah-kya-moo-knee) literally, “Sage of the Shakya Clan”; the Historical Buddha. His given name was Siddhartha (sid-har-ta) Gautama. He lived in northeastern India sometime after the fifth century BCE., the Historical Buddha(bood-huh) literally, “Awakened One”; a being who has awakened to the true reality of existence and is thereby liberated from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. A Buddha teaches others the path to Enlightenment., and the correlation between merit and rebirth, a central principle of Buddhism(bood-ihz-uhm) a widespread Asian religion or philosophy founded by Siddartha Gautama in northeastern India in the 5th century BCE..
The carved surface illustrations, so intricate and organized, cannot be explained as mere textileany type of cloth or fabric. patterns on the robe. They give a clue about the figure’s identity. The statue is Vairochana(vie-ro-chuh-nuh) literally, “Resplendent”; one of the five primary Buddhas, considered in some traditions to be the cosmic Buddha. Shakyamuni, the Historical Buddha, is understood to be Vairochana’s earthly emanation., the Cosmic Buddha(bood-huh) literally, “Awakened One”; a being who has awakened to the true reality of existence and is thereby liberated from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. A Buddha teaches others the path to Enlightenment.. In Buddhist texts, Vairochana is described as the generating force behind all phenomena in the Buddhist universe. The narrative scenes are spiritual emanations rising from the Buddha himself, indicating his cosmic nature.
The statue was first carved in northern China during the Northern Qi dynastya series of rulers from a single family. (550–577). Buddhism(bood-ihz-uhm) a widespread Asian religion or philosophy founded by Siddartha Gautama in northeastern India in the 5th century BCE. at that time enjoyed great prosperitythe state of being wealthy or successful.. It not only had support from the imperialrelating to an empire, an emperor, or the home of royals. family but also had believers from different classes of society. As a result of endorsement and financial support from the imperial family, Buddhist art grew more and more sophisticated, as reflected by the meticulously carved scenes on this statue. The different elements were probably painted after they were carved. The carvings are very complicated and refer to different textual sources, suggesting the sculpture may have been used in a monastery to help teach the basic concepts of Buddhism to believers who could not read.
- Use the zoom feature to look closely at the imagery on the surface of the sculpture. Can you identify Mount Meru, demigods, animals, and sufferers?
- This object tells stories with pictures instead of words. Why do you think this choice was made?
- What do you think the sculpture’s head and arms would have looked like? Research other depictions of Vairochana(vie-ro-chuh-nuh) literally, “Resplendent”; one of the five primary Buddhas, considered in some traditions to be the cosmic Buddha. Shakyamuni, the Historical Buddha, is understood to be Vairochana’s earthly emanation. and Buddhist images. Sketch out some possible interpretations for the missing body parts.