Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva on Lotus Throne
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva on Lotus Throne
18th Century, Jiangxi Province, Southern China
Wood, Pigments, Cloth, and Traces of Gold Leaf
Sitting gracefully on a raised lotus throne is Ksitigarbha, the Bodhisattva of the Great Vow. His name means “earth treasury”, and he is known for taking a sacred oath to take responsibility in liberating all beings in the six worlds. He is also one of the four principal Bodhisattvas in East Asian Mahayana Buddhism (the other three being Samantabhadra, Manjusri, and Avalokiteśvara).
Also known as Dizang Pusa (地藏菩萨), he is dressed in simple robes and his iconic multi-arch crown. He leans slightly forwards with his legs folded neatly and hands laying on his lap in the dhyana mudra of meditation. Carved from wood, his body is covered in flakes of precious gold and remnants of coloured pigments. A simple niche is carved into his back, and most likely used to hold a sacred prayer relic. Ksitigarbha sits on a detached lotus throne with fine cabriole legs, which contributes to the lovely silhouette of this statue.
Dimensions
Width: 14 cm / 5.5 inches
Depth: 11.5 cm / 4.5 inches
Height: 35 cm / 13.75 inches