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

Standing Disciple Mahakasyapa Holding a Cylindrical Reliquary

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Standing Disciple Mahakasyapa Holding a Cylindrical Reliquary as sculpture (China, Hebei province, Southern Xiangtangshan caves, Northern Qi dynasty (550-577) · c. 550).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

The complex of Buddhist cave temples at Xiangtangshan, “Mountain of Echoing Halls,” is a central achievement of the Northern Qi period.

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this sculpture as limestone with traces of pigment.

The museum's collection notes: 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.

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtStanding Disciple Mahakasyapa Holding a Cylindrical Reliquary

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