A laser scan reveals details of an ancient Buddha statue at the Freer Gallery 
of Art in Washington DCSmithsonian’s Digitalization Program Office
US researchers have unravelled the mystery of intricate engravings on an 
ancient Chinese statue of Buddha. The headless statue known as Cosmic 
Buddha, currently housed at an art gallery in Washington DC, dates back to 
the sixth century.
The researchers said 3D scans of the statue's surface revealed that the 
decorative illustrations depict Buddha's teachings and life incidents. "The 
Cosmic Buddha is wrapped in the simple robe of a monk, but the garment is 
covered with incredibly complex illustrations of Buddhist stories," according 
to a statement by Arthur M Sackler Gallery and the Freer Gallery of Art.
Buddha or Gautama Buddha, was born a prince about 2,500 years ago in what
is now Nepal. He abandoned a life of comfort at the age of 29 to become a 
sage, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. The life-size limestone 
figure has engravings that highlight his life stories.


Cosmic Buddha
The statue has complex illustrations difficult to discern with the naked eyeFreer Gallery of Art

"The decoration on the front and back 
of this figure's monastic robe features 
scenes of the life of the historical 
Buddha and cosmic imagery. On the 
front chest of the robe, Mount Sumeru, 
a sacred Buddhist mountain believed 
to connect heaven and earth, is 
depicted with two snakes, or naga, 
entwined around it," the museum said.
"Scenes below illustrate the historical 
Buddha as a prince before his 
enlightenment. The tortures of hell 
appear above the hem," it added.
The statue was built in China during 
the reign of Northern Qi dynasty (550-
577AD) when Chinese Buddhist art 
witnessed great transformations. The 
museum acquired it in 1923.
The entire surface of the sculpture is 
covered with intricate scenes that are 
difficult to discern with the naked eye 
but is clearly visible in 3D scans, 
museum curator Keith Wilson said.
"What make this sixth-century Chinese
object exceptional are the detailed 
narrative scenes that cover its surface. The narrative scenes are spiritual 
emanations rising from the Buddha himself and illustrate fundamental 
Buddhist teachings," he said.
According to Wilson, the scenes on the sculpture would originally have been 
painted, as slight traces of pigment remain on the surface. The statue "may 
well have been designed to serve as a teaching sculpture, probably in a 
monastery, where a narrator provided commentary and instruction on the 
teachings of Buddhism", he added.

Scholars earlier tried to decipher the illustrations by making rubbings of the 
sculpture's surface using ink on paper, but the method posed a threat to the 
ancient treasure as ink stains on the surface were left behind.

An exhibition featuring the 3D digital model and images of Cosmic Buddha 
statue opens in the gallery on 30 January.