Golden Bodhisattva at The Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario

myminifactory

This intricately carved wooden sculpture is adorned with a rich gold lacquer, depicting the revered Bodhisattva. Its origins are rooted in Zezhoufu within the Shanxi Province, where it was created between 1271 and 1368 during the Yuan dynasty. The practice of decorating sculptures with raised designs in gesso before applying gold lacquer gained popularity in the 13th century. In Mahayana Buddhism, the term Bodhisattva signifies a being who has achieved enlightenment, driven by profound compassion. A Bodhisattva is one who, motivated by an unwavering desire to attain Buddhahood, generates bodhicitta – a spontaneous wish to benefit all sentient beings. Among the four sublime states a human can achieve in life, becoming a Bodhisattva stands alongside achieving arhat, buddha, or pratyeka buddha status. The usage of the term Bodhisattva has evolved over time, initially referring specifically to Gautama Buddha's past lives in early Indian Buddhism. The Jataka tales, which recount the various attempts of the bodhisattva to embody qualities like selflessness and morality, showcase this evolution. This sculpture is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory, aiming to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks accessible worldwide for free. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have intriguing items nearby and wish to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate.