Chinese white marble figure of Maitreya Buddha In Northern Qi Dynasty style Stone

This figure represents the Maitreya Buddha, the future Buddha of this world. In Buddhist tradition, Maitreya resides in Heaven and descends to preach the dharma (law) when the teachings of Siddharta Gautama, the historical Buddha, have decayed. The figure here is shown seated in a contemplative pose on a high plinth. The pose is intended to evoke the

moment of awakening, the time when Buddha was still a prince

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