The Posture of Lalitāsana: Buddhist Posing Hierarchy in a Tang-Dynasty Chinese Bronze Sculpture

The rubric of the presence Buddhist sculpture in absence an actual deity represents admirable aspect art, especially sculpture, where best works have drawn on this paradox astounding fashion. An important element realization religious archetype is statues’ sublime poses. This article demonstrates posture hierarchy, based a case study Tang-Dynasty Chinese Bronze collected by Pulitzer Arts Foundation, which identified as lalitāsana: one leg pendant and other bent horizontally. shows how pose engendered various compositional situations postures popular East Asia icon design and, moreover, that might form part assemblage, indicates central Buddha figure, to all figures are formally doctrinally posed following hierarchy. argues different ranks characterized their degree movement. research proves myriad forms hierarchy been devised illustrate mythologies philosophical, doctrinal, or social concepts, representations, turn, myths beliefs.