18TH CENTURY

The present two figures represent Manjushri (Wenshushili Pusa), the bodhisattva of Wisdom, and Samantabhadra (Puxian Pusa), the bodhisattva known as ‘He whose bounty is omnipresent’ and represents the Buddhist Law and compassion. As shown here, Manjushri is usually depicted seated on an lion while Samantabhadra is usually depicted seated on an elephant. The two bodhisattvas often appear flanking a central figure of Shakyamuni Buddha. In Mahayana Buddhism, the form of Buddhism which prevailed in China, Shakymuni Buddha was the fourth in a series of earthly Buddhas, before his death foretelling the coming of the fifth early Buddha, Maitreya.