Amitābha Buddha from Hancui
| Amitābha Buddha | |
|---|---|
 The Amitābha Buddha on display at the British Museum | |
| Material | Marble |
| Size | 5.8 m high, 2 m wide |
| Created | 585 AD |
| Present location | British Museum, London |
| Registration | OA 1938.7-15.1 |
The Buddhist statue that was originally located in Hancui village in Hebei province, northern China. Dating to the 6th Century AD, it was given to the British Museum by the Chinese Government in 1938.[1][2]
Discovery
The inscription on the
Chinese Government, who in turn presented it in 1938 to the British Museum to commemorate the Chinese Exhibition, which took place in London
between 1935 and 1936.
Description
At nearly 6 metres high, the
Chinese. Traces of red paint have also been found on the back. The Amitābha Buddha was originally flanked by a smaller standing bodhisattva that is now in the Tokyo National Museum
.
Buddhism in China
In Buddhist doctrine, Amitābha rules over the Western Paradise, a serene and heavenly land where those who repeatedly chant his name can be reborn. Amitābha was very popular during the Sui dynasty (589-618 AD), when many buddhist images were created for pious devotees. This colossal marble figure is thought to be one such work and may have been modelled on Indian bronze statuary brought to China through the Silk Road.
Gallery
-
Detail of the head from the Amitābha Buddha
,_21_Oct_2007_-_074.jpg)
References
Further reading
- W. Zwalf (ed.), Buddhism: art and faith (London, The British Museum Press, 1985)
- R.E. Fisher, Buddhist art and architecture (London, Thames & Hudson, 1993)
- J Rawson, The British Museum Book of Chinese Art (London, British Museum Press, 2007)
