Pensive Bodhisattva

This pensive Bodhisattva sits on a chair with its right foot crossed over onto its left knee and the fingers gently touching the face, which is lowered as if in meditation. This style of statue was first made in India, and it was originally referred to in China as the “Pensive Crown Prince,” because it portrays the way Sakyamuni liked to lose himself in deep thought about the evanescence of life when he was a crown prince. But once the statue became an independent form, it became known as the “Pensive Bodhisattva” once and for all. This particular statue was discovered in Mulgeum, Yangsan, so some experts consider that it was made in Silla, but the location of its excavation is not sufficient evidence for determining its true origin, as such a small gilt-bronze statue could have been easily moved. There is a faint smile on the round, plump face, and the creases of the clothes on the legs are portrayed in great detail. This is considered to be one of the Buddhist statues with the greatest aesthetic value from the Three Kingdoms Period.