Standing Monk (Bhiksu)

This monk and his companion on the opposite side of the niche to the left did not come from Tianlongshan, but they do share the style and iconography of the sculptures there. Perhaps originally placed within a temple hall or cave shrine as disciples of a central buddha figure, the sculptures depict youthful monks dressed in patchwork monastic robes, or kashaya, which traditionally were pieced together from bits of discarded cloth. Monks generally are shown with a shaven pate, the top of the head rounded and dome-shaped. By contrast, buddhas, who also wear monastic robes, are depicted with short hair arranged either in wavy locks or in snail-shell curls; buddhas always have an ushnisha, the cranial protrusion that symbolizes the expanded wisdom gained at the time of their awakening. Together, the Buddha, his Dharma (teachings), and the Sangha (monastic community), form the Three Jewels of Buddhism, whose protection and guidance are sought by worshippers in every ritual performance.