Cleveland Museum of Art

Standing Disciple Mahakasyapa Holding a Cylindrical Reliquary

Date

c. 550

Medium

limestone with traces of pigment

Culture

China, Hebei province, Southern Xiangtangshan caves, Northern Qi dynasty (550-577)

Department

Chinese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Mahakasyapa, the disciple of Shakyamuni, is presented with closed eyes in an expression of meditative concentration. He is holding a reliquary for the Buddha’s ashes, which symbolize the Buddha entering final spiritual attainment (nirvana) at death. The artistic simplicity exemplifies the spiritual content of this figure. The complex of Buddhist cave temples at Xiangtangshan, “Mountain of Echoing Halls,” is a central achievement of the Northern Qi period.

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