The Stone Maitreya of Leh: The Rediscovery and Recovery of an Early Tibetan Monument

The rediscovery, conservation and repositioning of an ancient stone carved Buddha in Leh, Ladakh is one of the most important events in recent years for students of early Tibetan history and religion. Uncovering an inscription next to the carving has made it possible to date this artefact to the ele...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society 2011-10, Vol.21 (4), p.421-439
Main Authors: ALEXANDER, ANDRÉ, VAN SCHAIK, SAM
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Art and archaeology
Asia
Asian history
Asian religions
Buddhism
Buddism
Carving
Genealogy
Historic artifacts
History and sciences of religions
Humidity
Iconography
India
Inscriptions
Metalsmithing
Monasteries
Murals
Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan
Palaces
Religion
Religious icons
Statues
Stone
Tibeto Burman languages
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Summary:The rediscovery, conservation and repositioning of an ancient stone carved Buddha in Leh, Ladakh is one of the most important events in recent years for students of early Tibetan history and religion. Uncovering an inscription next to the carving has made it possible to date this artefact to the eleventh century or even earlier, while deciphering the inscription has confirmed that the figure should be identified as the Buddha Maitreya. This identification permits a better understanding of how the cult of Maitreya among of the emperors of imperial Tibet extended to western Tibet, and how the Maitreya images of western Tibet represent a specific local iconography.
ISSN:1356-1863
2051-2066
1474-0591
DOI:10.1017/S1356186311000411