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Standing Disciple Mahakasyapa Holding a Cylindrical Reliquary
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Mahakasyapa, the disciple of Shakyamuni, is presented with closed eyes in an expression of meditative concentration. He is holding a reliquary for the Buddha’s ashes, which symbolize the Buddha entering final spiritual attainment (nirvana) at death. The artistic simplicity exemplifies the spiritual content of this figure.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineStanding Disciple Mahakasyapa Holding a Cylindrical Reliquary, c. 550. China, Hebei province, Southern Xiangtangshan caves, Northern Qi dynasty (550-577). Limestone with traces of pigment; overall: 116 x 33 x 25 cm (45 11/16 x 13 x 9 13/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund, 1972.166
