Deities in paradise, souls suffering in hell, jealous demigods and flying spirits, mortals gathered for debate - all these and more are depicted on the 'Cosmic Buddha,' an extraordinary life-size sculpture on view in the Freer Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution.
The 'Cosmic Buddha' was probably made in northern China between 550 and 600 A.D. The painstakingly crafted scenes of the buddha reflect the growing sophistication of Buddhist art; their layered landscape elements, diagonals and vanishing points convey a sense of space receding into the distance.
