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After the collapse of the Tang Dynasty (906 AD),
there was a succession of short-lived
governments (known as the Five Dynasties). This
period of unrest came to an end with the
establishment of the Northern Song Dynasty in
960 AD. Renewed political stability helped to
usher in a period of economic prosperity and a
massive rise in population. Amongst the many
cultural achievements of the Song Dynasty, the
re- invigoration of the examination system and
the invention of movable type rank highly.
Intellectually the greatest achievement was the
development of Neo-Confucianism- a
philosophical movement heavily influenced by
Buddhist teachings. Although Buddhism had
reached China from India during the Han
Dynasty, it took time for the new faith to make
progress. This was partly because it had to
compete with native ideologies, namely
Confucianism and Daoism. It was possible,
however, to find common ground between these
belief systems and by the Tang Dynasty
Buddhism was experiencing a golden age in
China.
A beautiful representation of Buddha with a
tight-locked, swirl curl hairstyle, this piece
exemplifies the rich iconographic world of
Buddhism. Each curl contains a stylized version
of the Buddhist symbol of the law 'which
resembles a reversed swastika. The conical
modeling of the. head allows the elaborate
display of repetitious hair locks which is
considered to be a special mark of a Buddha
signifying his superior spiritual knowledge and
achievement. Though exhibiting other Buddha-
like features, such as
pendulant earlobes and lines at the chin and
neck, the cranial protruberance of knowledge
and enlightenment, ushnisha, appears absent; it
is perhaps suggested, however, in the conical
formation of the head.
Sung period sculpture is characterized by
monumental, blocky forms which convey the
essence of heaviness, figuratively relating to
one's profundity and resolve. Depicted in a state
of meditation, the figure is given a full face,
half-crescent eyes, long arched
eyebrows, high-bridged nose. and small mouth.
The state of calm is clearly conveyed through the
Buddha's expression and energy which were
intended to instruct and inspire us toward the
path of enlightenment.
- (PF.5332)
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