Buddhists have used images of enlightened beings including Buddhas, Guanyin, Bodhisattvas, Lohans, and monks for nearly two millennia to show devotees how Truth can be found within oneself through meditation and spiritual training. Statues of the Buddha and other enlightened beings are placed in temples, monasteries or home shrines as a reminder of the spiritual potential inherent within all of us to awaken to the Truth as the Buddha, a fellow human being, did. When one pays reverence to Buddhist images, they are not worshipping the image, rather the image reminds them of the great compassion of the Enlightened Ones who have taught them the way to liberation.
Showing 1–12 of 38 results
Shakyamuni Buddha was born Prince Siddhartha Gautama in 560 BCE in Lumbini Park in the Himalayan foothills, son of king Śuddhodana Gautama of the Shakya clan and Queen Maya. Buddhist scriptures state his conception and birth were miraculous and that he was born fully formed. This rural statue portrays him fully developed standing on infant…
This beautiful and touching antique carving of Guanyin the Bodhisattva of Compassion is an extremely rare depiction seldom seen in carved Buddhist statues. According to the Lotus Sutra, Guanyin has 33 manifestations or forms, one of which is Songzi Guanyin or Child Giving Guanyin. This form originated in the 16th century and continued through the…
Irvin calls Guanyin one of the Great Chinese Goddesses who are all imperially sanctioned and epitomize the feminine role of compassionate protectors who grant health, long life and safety to all regardless of their social position. This rare antique Guanyin carving depicts is gender neutral seated on a plain detachable pedestal in meditation (dhyana) with…
Carved wood Guanyin images were enormously popular in China’s provincial regions created by local artisans who did not follow proscribed court artistic rules or iconography and integrated elements from Buddhist, Taoist and Popular Folk Religion traditions into a syncretic blend as one of the Great Chinese Goddesses (Irwin). She sits on a raised lotus rising…
This delicate Mahayana Pure Land Buddhism Guanyin sits in meditation (dhyana mudra) representing concentration and peace hands in lap and legs crossed in lotus position (padmasana). Guanyin’s (Sanskrit Padmapani meaning “born of the lotus”) close association with the lotus is seen on her complex two-part throne. Resting on a footed base, the lotus throne is…
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, artists created small scale icons of Bodhisattva Guanyin and other deities for private use on a home altar and in local temples and shrines. While more sanctioned images and those made for wealthier devotees were created in porcelain, jade, bronze and ivory, those created for Popular Folk Religion, Taoist…
The Hou (Hǒu) is the most powerful mythical animal in Chinese beliefs. Composed of 10 animals, it is revered for its ability to gather and guard money for its master, defend him from evil, and protect against bad fortune. As the mount of Guanyin, it sometimes resembles a Buddhist lion with its mouth open in…
During the Ming and early Qing dynasties small wood statues of Guanyin were carved by provincial artisans to be placed on a home altar along with other Taoist, Popular Religion and Buddhist statues venerated by rural and less affluent families, especially female devotees. Made of wood, they were modest and reflected the purity of nature….
Nanhai Guanyin of the South Seas images were especially popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties in both the imperially sanctioned and provincial rural traditions; this image reflects both traditions. Carved by a provincial artisan, she is a serene and majestic mature woman with a radiantly warm smile, rounded face and half-closed almond shaped eyes. …
This standing Guanyin reflects the Mahayana Buddhism Pure Land tradition popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties which holds the belief that Guanyin guides devotees upon their death to Amitabha Buddha’s Western Paradise where they may be reborn until ready for enlightenment. This carving is a provincial folk art representation that was placed on home…
Antique-Chinese-wood-carving images of the Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, especially, those portrayed as an infant right after his miraculous birth, are rare, as they were not generally used on a home altar, although this one this one probably was since the cavity in the back indicates it was consecrated. Carved from one dense piece of wood,…
The close association of the lotus and Guanyin (Sanskrit Padmapani meaning “born of the lotus,”) is depicted in this Guanyin image sitting on a flat, round open yellow lotus padmapitha pedestal held up by a stem flanked by red lotuses facing out in a folk art tradition. As one of the Great Chinese Goddesses (Irvin),…
End of content
End of content