This is a stone sculpture of a Lohan or
Disciple from Tang Dynasty. Peacefully
gazing downwards, the figure has a serene
yet reassuring facial expression, radiating a
consolidating aura. He has round cheeks
and a chubby neck, which are typical
features of Tang art style.
Lohan (or Luohan) is the Chinese term used
for an Arhat, these being the historical
disciples of the Buddha. As with the
passage of time Buddhist tradition
developed, and especially in and among the
East Asian Buddhist countries, the original
number of Arhats or Luohans was
characterised by a propensity to increase,
and at least the most important of them
were regarded almost as bodhisattvas or
fully enlightened beings, with a wide range
of supernatural powers. According to the
standard Buddhist tradition, groups of 16,
18 or 500 luohans awaited the arrival of
Maitreya, the Future Buddha, and such
groups were very often re-created in
various mediums in East Asian Buddhist art.
In Tang aesthetics, being chubby is an
auspicious sign since it symbolises
prosperity and material abundance.
Applying this style to Buddhist sculptures
reflect the belief that the figure is spiritually
advanced.
