Image title: Maitreya (Tibet, 16th century)

This Copper sculpture shows an image of Maitreya, from the 16th/17th century origination from Tibet.—Materials used: Copper.

Description: This image depicts Maitreya, “The Benevolent,” as a Bodhisattva preaching Buddhist doctrine in the Tushita Heaven until such time as he comes to earth as the next mortal Buddha. The miniature water vessel near his left shoulder is one of his characteristic attributes.

Gallery information:

The Patan Museum is located on the Durbar square of Patan (Lalitpur/Lalitapura, Kathmandu, Nepal) which is associated Keshav Narayan Chowk (Keshavnarayan)—a form of Lord Vishnu. Being listed as a World Heritage Site, the whole of Durbar square is filled with exquisite temples, sculptures and other ancient structures, of which the ancient history history can be traced to the Malla Kings of Lalitpur. It is an important site for both Buddhism and Hinduism.