Mahayana meaning ”Great Vehicle,” is the largest school of Buddhist thought in the world, practiced mainly in China, Japan, Korea Taiwan, Tibet and Mongolia. It was created as a result of the great schism from Theravada Buddhism after the Second Buddhist council in 383 B. C.E. The three main aspects of Mahayana Buddhism are the importance of the sutras, meditation and the bodhisattvas along with the communities they serve. Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have chosen to remain in the human realm and assist other sentient beings in achieving enlightenment rather than entering nirvana. Bodhisattvahoodis the goal of the Mahayana which requires a resolve to win full enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. Mahayana acknowledges human weaknesses and offers help in salvation through the use of the Bodhisattvas. It is a very inclusive form of Buddhism, absorbing beliefs of indigenous religions and accepting different gods and spirits into its massive pantheon and was very influenced by Taoist and Popular Religion ideologies.
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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…
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…
This delicately detailed Guanyin statue in meditation on a two-tiered backless throne has flowing braids, simple necklace, and voluminous robes indicating her regal status, while her pendulous ears, compassionate downcast eyes, serene contemplative expression, and calm smile symbolize her enlightened status. The image’s distinguishing feature is its deeply carved three-part diadem (crown) centered with a carved Amitabha Buddha on lotus throne surrounded by an aureole.
Guanyin is portrayed in this gilt and lacquer carving seated on a lotus with her hands in the lap in meditation mudra atop a decorative footed stand in elegantly draped robes. In this regal form, she wears a 5-lobe crown with a cross hatch design in the center while her hair rests atop her head in a bun encircled within the crown.
Lee Irvin calls Guanyin one of the Great Chinese Goddesses who are imperially sanctioned and epitomize the feminine role of compassionate protectors who grant health, long life and safety to all regardless of their social position. Each has large temples, monasteries and small local shrines dedicated to them. She in the lotus position (padmasana) with…
The delicately carved antique Guanyin sits in dhyana (meditation) her head bent in serene peacefulness. The unusually large back cavity indicates it was consecrated by a Buddhist monk in an eye-opening ceremony and placed on a home altar. Masterful yet simple, this provincial image brings quiet energy to its surroundings and imparts a sense of serenity and peace.
In this elegant and vibrant carving Guanyin sits in meditation. her beautiful, serene face elegantly carved in contemplation withbud-shaped lips softly set in a welcoming and benign sweet smile wearing a five-lobed crown. She sits on an open lotus with a vertical post at her sides; her sacred vial on her right and a parrot on the left. Antique carved i Guanyin statues with her symbols in this condition are quite wonderful and rare and impart a feeling of serenity to the environment around them.
Statues like this vibrant Guanyin, especially popular during the Qing dynasty, epitomizes the best of folk art spiritual traditions of provincial artisans who replaced imperial constructs with provincial depictions that combined Buddhist, Taoist and Popular Religion traditions. Her high crown is centered with Amitabha Buddha surrounded by swirling florals, the indented urna (third eye) on her forehead would have held a cut glass. Humble, charming and approachable portrayals of Guanyin like this were placed in homes and small community temples.
Early Chinese Mahayana images portrayed Lohans as followers of the Buddha, living in the human world in human forms .Through their spirituality and asceticism they achieved enlightenment and were no longer subject to rebirths but choose to not enter nirvana and remain as guardians to preserve Buddhist teachings, protect the Buddhist faith and lead others…
This superb, colorful and rare carved Buddha is seated in vitarka-mudra, the teaching hand position. His delicately carved calm face has a benevolent and compassionate expression with a slight reassuring smile. The elegant body appears to float above deeply carved swirls reminiscent of clouds. Fine facial features, the graceful body and exquisitely carved and painted drapery make this a truly impressive and striking image. Given its size and masterful carving , it should hold a place and be revered commensurate with its spirituality and artistry.
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),…
The original 16 or18 arhats in Theravada Buddhism, later called Lohans in Mahayana Buddhism, were the original disciples of Gautama Buddha. Able to attain enlightenment and enter nirvana, instead they remained on earth to aid Buddhist devotees to reach nirvana. Buddhist temples are often lined with 18 lohan but there may be many more. Never…
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