Standing Disciple Mahakasyapa Holding a Cylindrical Reliquary
545–555
- Medium
- limestone with traces of pigment
- Dimensions
- Overall: 116 x 33 x 25 cm (45 11/16 x 13 x 9 13/16 in.)
- Genre
- sculpture
- Museum
- Cleveland Museum of Art
Styles
Tags
China, Hebei province, Southern Xiangtangshan caves, Northern Qi dynasty (550-577)
About
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.