Statues of Arhats in Bao'en Temple

Statues of Arhats in Bao'en Temple

The arhat statues in Bao'en Temple are a cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

The arhat statues in Bao'en Temple in Shou County, Anhui Province, Mahavira Hall

Installed in November of the 46th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty, the eighteen clay arhat statues in the Mahavira Hall of Bao'en Temple in Shou County, Anhui Province, stand separately on flat brick platforms beneath the eastern, western, and northern walls. These arhat sculptures shine with divine radiance, are remarkably lifelike, and display distinctly different expressions. Each stands atop a sea creature amid surging waves, as if crossing the ocean, forming a series that depicts eighteen high monks of varying ages, personalities, and life experiences.

The artistic conception of the arhat statues in Bao'en Temple is exquisitely conceived, their physical structures and layouts are rationally designed, and their sculpting processes are highly intricate. They are a precious heritage of Qing Dynasty sculpture, possessing extremely high historical, artistic, and scientific value.