The statues of Arhats in the Zijin Temple are located in Lvhua Village, Ximao Wu, Dongshan Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou City. They were listed as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level by the State Council of China in 2006.
The Zijin Temple occupies about 3500 square meters with a building area of 566.34 square meters, among which, the Luohan Hall occupies 192.5 square meters. Several statues of Arhats are located in this hall. Bhaisajyaguru, sakyamuni and Amitabha are sitting on double lotus bases and appear quite calm. Kasyapa and Ananda are respectfully standing among the Buddhas. Behind them there is Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva looking at the sea, and 16 vivid statues of Arhats on both sides of the Buddhist shrines. These are the essence of ancient carvings in the Zijin Temple. All of these statues are well carved with a suitable body proportion, and they have various vivid postures like “guarding the entrance”, “appraising wines”, “preaching”, “listening”, “fighting with a dragon”, “fighting with a tiger”, “sitting in meditation” , “holding a pagoda” and so on. All of the statues are of different manners and distinguished characteristics, even their face expressions are fine and smooth. In the back wall of the hall there are eight statues, namely “Chanyue Master-Guan Xiu”, “Emperor Wudi in Liang Period”, “the first monk of Lingyan Mountain-Zhi Ji”, “the first monk of Jin Temple”, “Gen Shan”, “Guandi”, “Wenchang”, “Valiant general” and “Maitreya”. These eight statues look solemn, which reflects the sovereignty of Gods.
The statues of Arhats in the Zijin Temple reflect good integration of realism and vivid descriptions of the ancient sculpture art in China, and are the best representations of excellent creative talents of the ancient folk artists.
