Shaka Nyorai (Shakyamuni Buddha) with the Bodhisattvas Monju Bosatsu (Mañjusrî) and Fugen Bosatsu (Samantabhadra); Shakyamuni Triad (Shaka sanzon zō) c. 15th century

Curator: This hanging scroll depicts Shaka Nyorai, or Shakyamuni Buddha, with the Bodhisattvas Monju Bosatsu and Fugen Bosatsu. The anonymous work is part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: There's a somber quality to this painting, almost meditative. The figures are quite still, but there's a subtle energy radiating from them. Curator: Absolutely. The iconography is rich. Shakyamuni represents enlightenment, while Monju, often depicted with a sword, symbolizes wisdom, and Fugen embodies practice. Editor: And their mounts—a lion and an elephant—further amplify those qualities, strength and steadfastness. It’s fascinating how animals become intertwined with spiritual attributes. Curator: Precisely. This triad format, Shaka sanzon zo, gained popularity, reflecting the rise of esoteric Buddhism and the desire for tangible representations of complex spiritual concepts. Editor: It’s powerful how these visual symbols continue to resonate, connecting us to centuries of cultural memory. Curator: Indeed. This work offers a glimpse into the visual culture and devotional practices of its time. Editor: And it invites us to consider the enduring power of symbols to shape our understanding of the world and our place within it.