Standing Gilt-bronze Buddhist Goddess of Mercy

How about we take a look at a Buddhist figure that characterized the religion of the people of Baekje? The small figure you are looking at now is a Buddhist saint made out of gilt bronze. Buddhist saints practice the teachings of Buddha and lead people, and can be understood as a similar concept to the twelve apostles of Jesus. They are usually wearing jeweled crowns and accessories such as bracelets and brooches. To encourage a sense of familiarity and intimacy, they look more like humans than Buddha.

This saint is, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. The Buddhist Goddess of Mercy listened to all the voices and cries of people that were in pain and granted them mercy. Mother Mary is an equivalent figure in Christianity.

The goddess has a chubby, smiling face, a slim figure, and hair falling down to her shoulders in two braids, one on each side. The lotus flower she holds in her right hand is an emblem of new life and the bottle in her left hand contains reviving medicine.

Buddhist saints were ordained in all regions including India, the birthplace of Buddhism, and in Thailand and China as well. Buddhist figures made in India resembled Indian people and those from Thailand resembled Thai people. It was natural that people made statues of Buddhist saints in their own likenesses. Looking at the chubby cheeks and the fading smile of the statue, you can try to imagine the appearance of the people of Baekje.