Mahayana

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.

Showing 1–12 of 34 results

  • Antique Guanyin a Holding Scroll, China (16420LKE) $1550

    $1,550.00
    H: 15.25″  W: 7.5″  D: 6.5″ |SHIPPING INFORMATION REQUIRED. CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    Masterfully carved, this Guanyin has gentle curves thrusting her weight in opposing directions in a lyrical posture in lalitsana. Her refined  right hand with gentle elongated fingers rests on her right knee and her left extends across her body to hold a scroll, symbolizing  the Lotus Sutra, one of the Buddhist scriptures where her deeds and powers are enumerated or the Dharma which she constantly reads. Portrayed as a mature compassionate woman in serene repose, her delicate face has half-closed almond eyes, pursed lips, and full cheeks. Her hair is atop her head in a chignon and she wears a loose robe open at the chest and tied at the waist. The deeply carved folds of the robe and the patterns on the rocky outcrop on which she sits exemplify the artisan’s superior craftsmanship.

     

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  • Antique Guanyin Held Up by Demons, China (16208VRKE) $5800

    $5,800.00
    H: 45″ W: 17.75″  D: 11.5″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This outstanding Guanyin wood carving is an extremely rare image and displays a wonderful earthy blend of Mahayana and Tantric (Tibetan) Buddhism and spiritual and folk traditions that resonated with provincial populations. She sits on a lotus above a hexagonal throne right raised in abhaya mudra, lobed crown is centered with the Amitabha Buddha inside an aureole. The four agonized creatures struggling to hold the calm Guanyin on their shoulders is a unique Tantric visual representation of the triumph of Buddhism over ignorance. 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. With its admonitions about greed, aversion and ignorance it is a great metaphor for our times. 

     

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  • Antique Guanyin in Meditation, China (16955BME) $425

    $425.00
    H: 9.75″  W: 5.625″  D: 3.75″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    In this provincial carving made for personal use, Guanyin the Bodhisattva of Compassion who hears the cries of all beings, sits in meditation with  flowing robes, half closed eyes, a round face and a slight smile, the embodiment of  loving-kindness.  Her 5-lobed crown is centered with radiating lines symbolizing the aureole of the Amitabha Buddha of Infinite Light.

  • Antique Guanyin in Royal Ease (Lalitsana), China, (16910BOE) $515

    $515.00
    Ht: 10.75″  W: 5.5″  D: 4.5″ | FREE SHIPPING

    This dark wood carving is a Guanyin manifestation called “white hooded,”  “white clad” or “white robed” Guanyin derived from the many paintings where she is clad in white. Although wood carvings usually portray her clothed in red, this finely carved version of her is covered in a thick lacquer coat that darkens naturally over time and darkens even more when honored on a home altar with daily prayers and offerings that include smoky candles and burning incense.

  • Antique Guanyin on a Mythical Hǒu, China (16370BCK) $875

    $875.00
    H: 9.5”  W: 2.25”  D: 6.5” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This remarkable and enchanting figurine is Guanyin on her mythical  mount, the Hǒu the guardian master of the universe and model for righteousness and morality who symbolizes bringing forth peace and prosperity.The round orb in its mouth representing a pearl can be rubbed for good luck.  It is one of our most unique and favorite Buddhist statues, mounted on a frosted acrylic stand.

  • Antique Guanyin with Amitabha in Crown, China (16380B-LOK) $1300

    $1,300.00
    H: 13.75”  W: 7”  D: 4.5” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This  delicately detailed Guanyin statue seated in meditation on a two-tiered backless throne has flowing braids, simple necklace, and voluminous robes indicate 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.

     

  • Antique Guanyin with Crown in Meditation, China (16467PRK) $495

    $495.00
    Ht: 10.5”  W: 5.5”  D: 4” | FREE SHIPPING!

    Guanyin is portrayed in this gilt and lacquer carving seated on a lotus in the lap in meditation mudra  atop a decorative footed stand in elegantly draped robes. In thisregal 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.

  • Antique Guanyin with Lobed Crown, China (16151LME) $475

    $475.00
    H: 11.625″  W: 5.325″  D: 4.25″  | FREE SHIPPING!

    Made for placement on a home altar, this small Guanyin sits in lotus position (padmasana) feet upward and exposed, hands clasped in anjali mudra of prayer, reverence, respect. With a full face and downcast eyes, she is depicted in modest provincial style with symbols of her bodhisattva status: a 5-lobed diadem, hair in a chignon, braids draping down her shoulders, and a flowing robe. Her pendulous ears are a sign of wisdom, her ability to hear the cries of sentient beings, and her spiritual awakening. It is covered with gilt as a sign of her enlightened status.

  • Antique Guanyin with Lobed Crown, China (16744WHK) $395

    $395.00
    H: 8.25″    W: 4.5 ”    D: 3 ”    | FREE SHIPPING!

    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.

  • Antique Guanyin with Vial and Parrot, China (16246XLOK) $1450

    $1,450.00
    H: 15.5″  W: 6″  D: 5.25″ | for shipping information contact us at  213-568-3030

    In this elegant and vibrant carving Guanyin sits in meditation and feet in padmasana. Her beautiful, serene face is elegantly carved in contemplation with half-closed eyes and bud-shaped lips softly set in a welcoming and benign sweet smile. Her forehead is framed with soft curls and long hair drawn into chignon set behind her striated five-lobed crown and falling in knotted braids to her shoulders. Wearing elegant long flowing gilt and red robes, 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.

     

     

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  • Antique Guanyin, Amitabha in Crown (16837HEM) $1495

    $1,495.00
    H: 33.5″  W: 33″  D: 10″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    Statues like this Guanyin in the Mahayana Pure Land Buddhist tradition were especially popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties. This carving 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. Humble, charming and approachable portrayals of Guanyin  like this were placed in homes and temples in provincial areas.

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  • Antique Large Buddha in Teaching Mudra, China (17013BREM) CALL FOR PRICE

    H: 30″  W: 18″  D: 10″ | CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING AND PRICE INFORMATION

    This superb, colorful and rare carved Buddha is seated in vitarka-mudra, the taching 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.

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