Special 423 Ancient Buddhist Statues Postage Stamps

To promote Chinese culture and introduce exquisite ancient Chinese art works to the world, the Directorate has taken the suggestion of the National Palace Museum to base a set of stamps and a souvenir sheet on the theme of ancient statues depicting seated Buddhas. The three stamps in the set are "A Northern Wei Dynasty Sākyamuni Buddha," "A Tang Dynasty Seated Buddha" and "A Sung Dynasty Mahāvairocana Buddha."

The Republic of China is a country where the people enjoy religious freedom. All kinds of religions can be promoted and worshipped here. Buddhism, which is one of the major religions in our country, originated from India and entered China around 100 A.D.. The word "Buddha" means the enlightened one. Early Chinese Buddhist statues often look foreign, with long, thin faces and pronounced features. Take, for example, the Northern Wei Dynasty Sākyamuni Buddha Statue. The depicted figure has wavy hair that curls in big spirals and a long, oval face. He wears a cloak over a Buddhist robe that bares his right shoulder. His clothes fall and bunch in the shape of a flame. The statue is quite magnificent. China's Buddhist sects prospered during the Tang, and the Buddhist statues created represent the quintessence of Tang Dynasty artistry. This outstanding statue was crafted at the height of Tang Dynasty. Although the statue is not big, it is nevertheless very impressive. After the Sung Dynasty, Buddhism became a mass religion in China, and the Sung Dynasty Buddhist statue shown here has a round and flat typically oriental face. The fold lines on his clothes are smooth, and he looks amiable and merciful.

(1)First Day Cover in small size to be sold at NT$2apiece.
First Day Cover in large size to be sold at NT$3apiece.
(2)Folder especially prepared for the stamps to be sold at NT$ 5apiece.
(3)Folder with crystal mount for better protection of the stamps to be sold at NT$5 apiece.
Folder with crystal mount for better protection of the souvenir sheet to be sold at NT$8 apiece.
(4)Loose-leaf stamp album page with plastic cover to be sold at NT$16 apiece.
(5)Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with a low- valued stamp to be sold at NT$7 apiece.
(6)Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with a complete set of stamps to be sold at NT$28 apiece.
(7)Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with a souvenir sheet to b e sold at NT$ 29apiece.
(8) Maximum cards of Ancient Buddhist Statues Postage Stamps comprising 3 stamps to be sold at NT$66 apiece.