Tang Marble Kasyapa

This is a marble sculpture of Kasyapa standing on a lotus platform. As the eldest disciple of the Buddha, he is depicted as an old man as shown by the deep wrinkles on his face and his chest. His hands are posed in the abhaya and varada mudra, the gestures of no fear and wish-granting, reflecting his special position among the rank of disciples.

Kasyapa is one of the most revered of the Buddha’s entire disciples, foremost in ascetic practices. He is often depicted in statuary together with Ananda, each standing to one side of the Buddha. Kasyapa assumed the leadership of the Sangha following the death of the Buddha, presiding over the First Buddhist Council. He is considered to be the first patriarch in a number of Mahayana School dharma lineages. – (HK.2025b)