Hatto (Lecture Hall): Fasting Buddha Statue 法堂（教えを説くためのお堂）の断食をする仏陀像

Official explanation

The stone sculpture in front of the dais depicts Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, while fasting. The emaciated figure sits with eyes closed and legs crossed in the lotus position. The hollowed-out stomach and visible ribs convey the tribulations of fasting and the determination of the monks who undertake it. Six Buddhist monks in prayer are carved into the base of the statue.

The statue is a replica of a sculpture in the Lahore Museum in Pakistan that is designated a National Treasure there. The original is considered a priceless example of Gandhara art, a fusion of Ancient Greek and Indian Buddhist art that flourished on the Indian subcontinent between 180 BCE and 10 BCE. Sculptures and artworks from this period made their way through China and Korea and into Japan.

Read the full explanation

This statue is the only official replica of the original. After it was exhibited in the Aichi Expo in 2005, it was donated to Kenchoji Temple by the Pakistani government. It is a rare and precious piece of art, showing the influence of realistic Ancient Greek sculpture on early depictions of the Buddha.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.