A Study Of The Early Maiterya Statues In Northern Central Plains

Maitreya statues are considered as the most important content and special theme of Buddhism statues. No matter from which angle - Art history, Art archaeology or Buddhist art, it is extraordinary precious cultural heritage. The early Maitreya statue is the original relic of the propagation of India Buddhism and the evolutional source of Chinese Maitreya statues, which is worth exploring and doing research.This paper will focus on the early Maitreya Statues in Northern Central Plains: Standing Buddha,Contemplating with double leg in the lap,Seated Buddha ,Sitting crossed at the ankles with feet on the ground,Contemplating with one leg in the lap. We combine all the related materials together including art, archaeology and history and use statistics, comparison, classifications methods comprehensively. From the point view of images and statues-style research, we put the early Maitreya Statues in an evolutional system:the resources of India Buddhism——The image features and status's styles during the period of Sixteen Kingdoms of Eastern Jin Dynasty——The evolution of Maitreya Statues during the period of southern and Northern dynasties. Through the comparison of time sort and space of Maitreya statue, the article put forward the research of the images and statues in style.