Common statues of Buddhas, Bodhisattva and
Arhats have their own characteristics.
Characteristics of Buddhist
Statues
Hinayana Buddha believes that Sakyanuni is
the only Buddha, while Mahayana believes there are numerous Buddhas. Among these
numerous Buddhas, the ones frequently described, enshrined and worshiped include
Sakyamuni in the present world, Maitreya in the future world, Dipamkara Buddha
in the past world, Amitabha Buddha in the West paradise, Medicine Buddha in the
East Bhaisajya-guru-vaidurya-prabhasa and Xianjie Thousand Buddhas at the
present stage in the present world, etc. Although there are thousands of figures
of Buddhas, the looks, figures and expressions are similar to each other. Their
differences lie in different handprints, doctrine objects, sitting postures and
in clothes, backgrounds and lotus seats. The general looks and expression of
Buddhas are solemn, quiet, sublime and perfect.
Characteristic of Bodhisattva
Statues
Bodhisattva Buddha can be divided into two
categories. The first is Bodhisattva in attendance, such as Ahnan beside
Sakyanuni, Kwan-yin Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta (The Bodhisattva of Power)
beside Amitabha Buddha. Kwan-yin Bodhisattvas have dozens of kinds such as
One-face two-arm Kwan-yin, One-face multi-arm Kwan-yin, Multi-face Multi-arm
Kwan-yin, Ruyi Kwan-yin (Buddha of good fortune), Mother Kwan-yin, Kwan-yin
Sitting on a Fish, etc. The second category covers Bodhisattvas painted beside
Buddha statues, like Flower Presenting Bodhisattva, Incense Presenting
Bodhisattva, Music Bodhisattva, etc.
Bodhisattvas featur similar looks to
Buddhas. The difference is that Buddha has a flesh bun on the top of the head,
while Bodhisattva doesn't have any; Buddha's face is round like the moon while
Bodhisattva's face is oval like a hen egg, sesame, or goose egg; Buddha wears
simple clothes, with cassock around the body and exposing the right shoulder,
while Bodhisattva wears much more splendid and solemn clothes, with heaven
coronet on the head, pearl and jade necklace around the neck, Ring Sermon on
hand and cloth floating in air.
Bodhisattvas have similar looks and clothes
to each other; the only way to distinguish them is to check the different
handprints and religious objects. For example, the Kwan-yin Bodhisattva has a
Poplar Branch and Pure Aquarius in hand while Mahasthamaprapta (The Bodhisattva
of Power) has a lotus in hand. Their clothes are almost the same. There is a
pagoda in Maitreya's hand, a Buddhist scripture basket or a copy of the
scripture in Manjusri's hand, and Muni pearl and tin bastinado in Ksitigarbha
Bodhisattva's hand, etc.
Characteristic of Arhat Josses
Arhat is very popular in Chinese Buddhist
painting and sculpture in about 3 categories. The first includes Arhats in
groups, like Five Hundred Arhats. The second category covers separate Arhats
selected from the Ten Great Disciples or Sixteen Great Arhats described in
Buddhist Sutra. The third includes monks painted by artists at will without
consideration of proportion but called Arhats.
These Arhats, whether subduing a dragon or
taming a tiger, whether living in a same cave with snakes or being neighbor to
tigers and leopards, show a great affinity of mercy, sedateness and good
appetency. Arhats might look ugly and strange but they own the intrinsic beauty
of quietness, mercy and solemnness, incarnating the power of mitzvah, equanimity
and wisdom.