Mahayana Buddhism

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 13–24 of 31 results

  • Sale!

    Antique Large Lohan, Probably Bodhidharma, China (16436B-WHKE) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $7,300.00.Current price is: $6,300.00.
    H: 27.5” W: 12.75” D: 9.75” |CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    This exceptional, masterfully crafted and rare Ming or early Qing woodcarving is the heavily bearded Lohan Bodhidharma. As it is similar in size, robes and style as the Lohan (16436A), it was probably carved by the same artist and displayed together along with other Lohans. Very rare, we recommend both images be displayed together as they were originally. Bodhidharma is a legendary Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th or 6th century CE.. He is credited with bring Zen Buddhism to Japan,  creating Shaolin kungfu and discovering the use of the tea plant to make the most popular beverage on earth after water.

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    Antique Ming Songzi Guanyin, Bestower of Children, China (16057BAK) $1350 SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $1,350.00.Current price is: $1,147.50.
    H: 11”  W: 5.75”  D: 5.125” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This very rare and fine 16th century home shrine image displays the benign and compassionate countenance of Songzi Guanyin the “Bestower of Children.”  With round face and joyful half-closed and eyes, she looks lovingly at the child whose arm is draped over hers.and leans slightly forward,  wearing a 5- lobed crown centered with a camellia flower a Chinese symbol of young sons and daughters. The inscription on the back dates the piece to 1521-1567

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    Antique Nanhai Guanyin of the Southern Seas, China (16555BCK) $425

    Original price was: $450.00.Current price is: $382.50.
    H: 11.75” W: 5.25” D: 4.75” | FREE SHIPPING within Continental U.S.!

    In this provincial carving for private devotion on a home altar, Nanhai Guanyin sits in tranquilly in anjali mudra at her cave home on Putuo on a lotus throne set on an open lotus framed by a backdrop arch of openwork with pierced cut outs. She wears a five-lobed crown and flowing robes symbolizing her regal status in contrast to her modest robes.  Few small Nanhai Guanyin figures have survived, and they are highly prized. In feng shui, Guanyin statues should be in the center of the home to bring blessings to the entire home.

     

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    Antique Nanhai Guanyin of the Southern Seas, China (19414BLK) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $750.00.Current price is: $637.50.
    H: 9.5” W: 5.5″ D: 5.5″| FREE SHIPPING within Continental U.S.!

    This charming extremely well-modeled carving depicts a White Robed Nanhai Guanyin in her Cave on Mount Putuo seated on an open lotus in lalitsana below an arch of draped moss . Nanhai Guanyin was massively popular in the Ming/Qing dynasties when provincial wood images were made for home altars throughout China. She holds a scroll representing Buddhist teachings accompanied by a vial with the tears of humanity and a parrot, her constant companion.  Small home shrine Nanhai images with all these symbols are rare.

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    Antique Nanhai Guanyin with Attendants and Donor, China (16210BEME) $5900 SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $5,900.00.Current price is: $5,015.00.
     H: 34″ W: 12″ D: 15″  |  Call us at 213-568-3030 for SHIPPING Quote or email us at [email protected]

    Guanyin clearly dominates this majestic carving sitting in meditation. She wears  an ornate high  blue crown centered with an Amitabha Buddha in a deep arched border topped by flat lotus leaves. This remarkable Nanhai Guanyin  is extremely rare, unique and difficult to interpret as it is so rare and unusual. We have never seen a Guanyin in her cave at Putuo surrounded by with two pairs of attendants that include her acolytes Shan Tsai  and the Dragon Princess Longnu and a seated Taoist official/priest or possible the donor at the apex.  This was likely commissioned by a very wealthy donor who wished to make a spiritual statement while also emphasizing his reverence and status.

     

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    Antique Nanhai Guanyin with Aureole and Acolytes, China (16428LMK) $795

    Original price was: $720.00.Current price is: $612.00.
    H: 22.25”  W: 7.25 ”  D: 5” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    Nanhai Guanyin sits in meditation on a pedestal framed by a large mandorla with her two acolytes (one deteriorated) with a benign expression with half-closed eyes, pursed smiling lips, pendulous ears, and a crown with an image of Buddha Amitabha. Most Buddhist carvings suffered severe damage during China’s modernization and antique Guanyin images with her attendants are very rare.

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    Antique Porcelain Famille Rose Laughing Buddha, China (17038LMK) $850

    Original price was: $850.00.Current price is: $722.50.
    H: 10.25” W: 9.5” D: 4.5” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Known as the Laughing, Happy, or Fat Buddha, Budai is regarded as a deity of contentment and plenty. Like most Early Chinese Republic porcelains this piece is hand decorated in famille rose enamels with vivid blue, red, and green pigments portrayed as a stout, smiling, bald monk in robes with a large, exposed pot belly surrounded by five children. Since the stomach is considered the seat of the soul in Chinese beliefs, it demonstrates his open heartedness. His wide smile attracts the children surrounding his body indicating his regard for them and his joy when they encircle him and well as the belief he can bequeath families with children.

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    Antique Rare Large Lohan with Hands in Reverence, China (16436A-WHKE) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $7,300.00.Current price is: $6,205.00.
    H: 28.25  W: 12.75”  D: 9.75” | CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    Although they are Buddhist images,  Lohans are portrayed as a real person with very individual, distinctive, and un-idealized features.  His benevolent youthful sweetly smiling face with downcast eyes is an image of compassion, wisdom and peace.This exceptional, beautifully crafted rare 17-18th century Ming/Qing large Lohan is from the same Buddhist location as the foreign-born heavy bearded Lohan Bodhidharma, and the same artist may have carved both. We recommend keeping them as a pair to display together.

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    Antique Small Guanyin on a Radiating Lotus, China (16534MSK) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $595.00.Current price is: $505.75.
    H: 8.675″  Dia: 4.5″ | Free SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This delicate small Mahayana Buddhist carving of seated White Robed Guanyin in meditation sits in meditation on a radiating lotus throne  symbolizing her enlightenment, rebirth and purity. As a Popular Religion figure, she is humble, modest, relatable, accessible, yet a beautiful matronly figure. This beautiful figurine was placed on a home altar with other spiritual statues and house gods.  Mounted on a frosted acrylic base.

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    Antique White Robed Guanyin on a Hǒu, China(16963BKE) $795

    Original price was: $725.00.Current price is: $616.25.
    H: 15.125”  W: 6”  D: 5” | FREE SHIPPING within Continental U.S.!

    This charming rare White Robed Guanyin sits on a Hǒu, the mythical guardian beast that symbolizes righteousness and morality and the mandate to usher in peace and prosperity. Although generally beast, this Hǒu is a gentle Buddhist creature curled around Guanyin’s side as she in lalitsana clasping a rosary. This fine and rare provincial folk version of Guanyin is a small yet powerful carving, mounted on a frosted Acrylic base.

     

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    Antique Wood and Lacquer Monk (Lohan), China (16241BHK) $785

    Original price was: $785.00.Current price is: $667.25.
    H: 14.25” W: 7.125” D: 4.875” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN cONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This finely carved seated Lohan from Fukien Province has a characteristic serene expression of inward concentration and is seated on a backless plinth, hands in meditation and legs in padmasana. His oversized head and pendulous ears symbolize his wisdom as an enlightened being, and his angular face with deeply set heavily lidded eyes, protruding cheekbones, pursed lips, and a strong chin indicate his strength as a Lohan. An elaborate robe with wide sleeves is draped over his shoulders, arms, and legs and his sash is pulled through a wide shoulder ring indicating his status as a Lohan.

     

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    Antique Wood Guanyin in Meditation, China (16955BME) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $425.00.Current price is: $361.25.
    H: 9.75″ W: 5.625″ D: 3.75″ | FREE SHIPPING within continental u.s.!

    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, eyes half closed, a round face and a slight smile. She is the embodiment of  loving-kindness. Her 5-lobed crown is centered with radiating lines symbolizing the aureole of the Amitabha Buddha of Infinite Light.

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