Ancient Arhats of Zijin Temple Treasures of Buddhist Art - Asia Arts

Ancient Arhats of Zijin Temple: Treasures of Buddhist Art

Buddhism, one of the world's three major religions, has deep historical roots in China. Located on Dongting East Mountain, one of the seventy-two peaks of Lake Tai, the serene and beautiful Zijin Temple is surrounded by lush greenery. The Arhat statues enshrined here are true treasures of Buddhist art.

The sixteen Arhat statues of Zijin Temple are said to be the work of Lei Chao and his wife, folk artists from the Southern Song Dynasty, and are about 800 years old. Each statue stands approximately 3.4 feet tall, with well-proportioned figures and meticulously detailed facial expressions, conveying rich human emotions.

For example, the "Dragon Taming" Arhat is majestic and powerful, with a purple face. Next to him, two other Arhats express admiration and disdain, creating a vivid scene. The "Tiger Subduing" Arhat, with a cheerful smile, stands with a tamed tiger at his feet, intricately detailed and lifelike.

The painted decorations on these statues are exceptionally fine, with flowing folds and vibrant colors. On the right wall, a celestial figure delicately holds up a scripture cover with three fingers, the folds naturally draping as if blown by the wind, truly impressive.

Past admirers have highly praised the artistic achievements of the Zijin Temple Arhats. Ming Dynasty monk Dadian described them as "majestic in form, with a blend of mercy and humor, astonishing in their craftsmanship." In the Qing Dynasty, Qiu Gengxi praised their "spirit that transcends, almost coming to life."

The ancient Arhats of Zijin Temple showcase the exceptional artistic talents of ancient Chinese craftsmen and are an invaluable part of Buddhist cultural heritage.

紫金庵古塑罗汉：佛教艺术的瑰宝

佛教，世界三大宗教之一，在中国有着深厚的历史渊源。位于太湖七十二峰之一的洞庭东山上的紫金庵，静谧幽美，花木茂盛，这里供奉的罗汉塑像更是佛教艺术的瑰宝。

紫金庵的十六罗汉像传说是南宋民间塑手雷潮夫妇的作品，已有800年历史。每尊罗汉像高约三尺四寸，造型比例适度，面部表情细腻逼真，传达出丰富的人情意趣。

例如，"降龙"罗汉威武雄壮，面呈紫色，旁边两尊罗汉，一个表示钦佩，一个不屑一顾，构成了一幅生动的画面。"伏虎"罗汉则满脸堆笑，脚下猛虎驯服，细节精致，栩栩如生。

这些罗汉塑像的彩绘装饰也十分精工，衣褶流转，色彩鲜艳。右壁一尊诸天用三指轻轻托起经盖，绉纹自然下垂，风吹欲动之状，令人惊叹不已。

前人对紫金庵罗汉的艺术成就推崇备至，明朝大灯和尚称其"形貌雄，慈威嘻笑惊神工"，清乾隆时邱赓熙更赞其"精神超忽，呼之欲活"。

紫金庵古塑罗汉，展示了中国古代劳动人民高超的艺术才能，是不可多得的佛教文化遗产。