Large hand-carved seated granite figure of Buddhistic monk Bodhidharma

Outstanding, large and heavy coarse granite figure hand-carved in the shape of the Buddhistic monk Bodhidharma in a seated position known as zazen – a meditation position. Wrapped in his iconic (red) robe. The granite is in shades of white, grey and black with a soft orange undertone.

This position implies the scene from the legend where Daruma is facing a wall of a mountain cave in the vicinity of the monastery Shaolin on Mt. Song in Henan Province in China. Here he started to meditate after a frustrating encounter with Emperor Wu of China’s Liang dynasty. He will continue to meditate for nine years before reaching enlightenment.

Approx. dimensions:
Height 49 cm, Width 53 cm, Depth 39 cm.
Weight 92.5 kg

The age of such hand-carved sculptures is difficult to determine. We think that this one is from the 19th century (Late Edo period/Meiji period), but it easily can be even older. It has attractive ‘soft’ contours indicating weather corrosion for many years, a great sign of its older age.
It is in a very good original condition. Please look at the photos for a condition reference.

Daruma, also known as Bodhidharma, holds great significance in Zen Buddhism and Japanese culture. Bodhidharma was an Indian monk who travelled to China and is credited with bringing Zen teachings to East Asia. He is revered as the founder of Zen Buddhism and is often depicted with a distinctive appearance, including a beard and intense gaze. Bodhidharma’s teachings emphasize meditation, self-discovery, and the direct experience of enlightenment. As a revered figure, he continues to inspire practitioners on their spiritual journeys, reminding them of the importance of inner exploration and the pursuit of awakening.

When shipped we will add a certificate of authenticity.