Antique Guanyin Held Up by Demons, China #16208VRKE

Description

This large rare provincial Guanyin carving shows the influence of Tibetan Buddhism on Mahayana Buddhism during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It represents the defense of Buddhism against ignorance and demonic forces often portrayed in Tibetan, Nepalese and Tantric Buddhism in which demons are viewed as forces and natural spirits that must be recognized, appeased and confronted by the living. Demons are not demons forever, but while in the lower realms they must “hold up” beings of the highest realms like this Guanyin reminding us people can change from demons to higher realms in their constant transition toward enlightenment.  The demonic creatures supporting her hexagonal lotus throne are not harmful, they are only obstacles – greed, aversion, and ignorance – that each of us must respect, control and overcome through good deeds and thoughts, meditation, observing rituals and offerings of appeasement. Buddhist statues of demons in the realms of hell like these four grotesque creatures warn us to be more diligent in our spiritual efforts, thoughts and actions and follow the Noble Eightfold Path. Guanyin’s hand is held in i Abhaya mudra symbolizing protection, peace and “have no fear.” As part of Pure Land Buddhism, her lobed crown is centered with Amitabha Buddha inside a flaming aureole. This carving is in very good condition with normal losses consistent with age and use. Some areas were periodically retouched, especially her face, as was customary with Buddhist carvings, especially in rural areas where paint easily faded in bad weather. Probably placed in a community shrine or Guanyin temple, the rear is unpainted as it was displayed high against a wall and foreshortened to be viewed from below. The rear cavity indicates it was consecrated in an eye-opening ceremony by a Buddhist monk.

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Sources:

Julia Hirsch, “The Monsters of Buddhism – Inside and Out” in Trycicle: The Buddhist Review, October 31, 2013.

John C Huntington and Dina Bangdel, The Circle of Bliss: Buddhist Meditational Art, Chicago, Serindia Publications, 2003.

Lee Irwin, “Divinity and Salvation: The Great Goddesses of China,” in Asian Folklore Studies, Indiana University, Vol. 49, 1990, pp 53-68.

Meher McArthur, Reading Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Guide to Buddhist Signs and Symbols, London, Thames and Hudson, 2002.

Chun-Fang Yu, Kuan-yin: The Chinese Transformation of Avalokitesvara, New York, Columbia University Press, 2001.

Chun-Fang Yu, “Kuan-yin: The Chinese Transformation of Avalokitesvara” in Latter Days of the Law: Images of Chinese Buddhism 850-1850, Marsha Weidner, Ed. Honolulu, University of Hawaii Press, 1994, p.151-182.