Sphere No.49 (Aug 2019)

>> SPHERE #47 2019 23 Seated Amita- bha Buddha was made during China’s first year of the Chuigong reign Tang dynasty (685 CE). The votive inscription on the front edge of the base shows that this Amita- bha statue was presented by a dutiful son in honour of his deceased parents. Ś a- kyamuni Buddha was meditating under the Bodhi tree when a mighty storm arose. The Na- ga King, lord of divine semi-serpent people, left his throne to protect the Buddha by wrapping him in seven coils. Seated Buddha Protected by the Na- ga King is from the Cambodia Khmer Empire (c. 12th to 13th century). Pensive Bodhisattva is also from the Chinese Northern Qi dynasty (550–577 CE). This unusually large piece (over 60cm tall) displays meticulous carving and is exceedingly rare among white stone sculptures of this era. Standing Ks. itigarbha Bodhisattva vowed to stay on Earth, denying himself Nirvana and Buddhahood, until all the hells were emptied. This statue is from the Japanese Kamakura period (1192–1333 CE), and is an appropriate exhibit as Ks. itigarbha had a profound influence on Chinese and Japanese Buddhism. Art over the centuries isn’t static. This Seated Guanyin Bodhisattva is originally from the Chinese Liao dynasty (916–1125 CE). But a restoration during the Ming dynasty saw gelled appliqué cloud motifs and colloidal gold paint added around the knees, hundreds of years after its creation. Sixteen Great Luohans were asked by Buddha to stay in the mortal world as Dharma protectors. The gilt bronze Seated Luohan (Ming dynasty, c. early 15th century) depicts one of them, gracefully. “Masterpieces are a portal to the past and the future, seamlessly weaving together the Dharma of purity, integrity and impermanence.” Mr Li Ka-shing