The bodhisattva Manjushri, anonymous, c. 800 - c. 900
volcanic stone (andesite), h c.138cm × w c.90cm × d c.60cm × w 663kg More details
Manjushri was venerated in China as one of the first advocates of Buddhism. On Java, he was represented as a young man with bejewelled straps across his chest. This figure’s missing hands may once have made the gesture of turning the wheel of doctrine (dharmacakra mudra): this symbolizes the beginning of the cycle of Buddhist doctrine and enlightenment.
