LUOHAN SEATED IN DHARMACAKRAMUDRA

Description The luohan (arhat) sits in lotus position (padmasana), with his hands brought close in front of his chest in the gesture of “setting in motion the wheel of the Doctrine” (dharmacakramudra). The figure is covered by a heavy monastic robe that falls in a cascade of folds in front of the seat. The head, which shows a clear indentation between the temples and the cheeks, is tilted forward almost as if to cast a benevolent gaze downwards: in its original position the statue probably had to overlook the devotees from the altar of a temple.