This figure represents Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light. According to an inscription on the base it was dedicated in AD 585 to the Chongguang Temple. The temple was probably in present-day Hebei province, a region known for its white marble sculptures. The statue was originally flanked by two smaller figures of bodhisattvas (enlightened beings). http://flic.kr/p/2sz6dwh Buddhism originated in India. It was slowly introduced into China from the 1st century AD onwards and was widespread from the 3rd to the 6th century. Buddhism became a state religion during the Sui dynasty (589-618). From the 5th to the 7th century, Chinese Buddhist sculpture became more naturalistic, probably influenced by Indian art. The conservation of Amitabha Buddha has been made possible by funding from the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Art Conservation Project. Presented by C. T. Loo to the Chinese Government and by them to the British Museum in 1938 to commemorate the International Exhibition of Chinese Art, 1935-6 Asia (1938.0715.1) The hands of the statue are missing but the right hand would have been raised, palm outwards in the gesture of fearlessness (abhaya mudra), and the left hand lowered in the gesture of wish-granting (varada mudrä). The joint at the waist shows that the main body of the statue was carved in two separate parts. Recent conservation work has revealed traces of pigment on the surface, The statue was once covered with colour and gilding. Buddhist figures often sit or stand on a lotus. Lotuses are used in Buddhist art as symbols ol purity enlightenment and divine birth. [Text from Museum label]

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