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‘Buddha’ goes to the hospital: A convergence of art, history and science

A 17th-century Korean bodhisattva statue undergoes an X-ray, CAT scan and endoscopy, leading to a surprising discovery.

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A side view of the bodhisattva shows the gilt-wood exterior. The bodhisattva refers to a being that refrains from achieving enlightenment out of compassion for others striving to achieve their own.

Courtesy of the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art /

Sutra and dharani pages discovered inside the abdomen of the bodhisattva are displayed. The sutra pages are woodblock prints in black ink on white mulberry paper. The dharani prints were made using the same materials, except in red ink. The sutra pages are also slightly larger.

Sutra and dharani pages discovered inside the abdomen of the bodhisattva are displayed. The sutra pages are woodblock prints in black ink on white mulberry paper. The dharani prints were made using the same materials, except in red ink. The sutra pages are also slightly larger.

Courtesy of the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art

The 17th-century wooden bodhisattva sits on a table in preparation for an X-ray in 2008 at Shands at the University of Florida.

The 17th-century wooden bodhisattva sits on a table in preparation for an X-ray in 2008 at Shands at the University of Florida.

Courtesy of the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art via the University of Florida Digital Collections

An X-ray image of the seated bodhisattva shows a side view of the statue's head, revealing the handmade iron nails.

An X-ray image of the seated bodhisattva shows a side view of the statue's head, revealing the handmade iron nails.

Courtesy of the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art via the University of Florida Digital Collections

An X-ray image of the seated bodhisattva shows the handmade iron nails used to attach the ears.

An X-ray image of the seated bodhisattva shows the handmade iron nails used to attach the ears.

Courtesy of the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art via the University of Florida Digital Collections

An X-ray image of the bodhisattva shows the hollowed out abdomen and the iron nail used to attach the hand.

An X-ray image of the bodhisattva shows the hollowed out abdomen and the iron nail used to attach the hand.

Courtesy of the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art via the University of Florida Digital Collections

An X-ray image of the statue shows handmade iron nails used to attach the base of the statue as well as the lower section of the hollowed-out abdomen.

An X-ray image of the statue shows handmade iron nails used to attach the base of the statue as well as the lower section of the hollowed-out abdomen.

Courtesy of the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art via the University of Florida Digital Collections

A technician at Shands at the University of Florida in Gainesville operates CAT scan equipment scanning the bodhisattva statue acquired by the University of Florida in 2008.

A technician at Shands at the University of Florida in Gainesville operates CAT scan equipment scanning the bodhisattva statue acquired by the University of Florida in 2008.

Courtesy of the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art via the University of Florida Digital Collections

A CAT scan of the gilt-wooden bodhisattva statue acquired by the University of Florida's Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art in 2008.

A CAT scan of the gilt-wooden bodhisattva statue acquired by the University of Florida's Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art in 2008.

Courtesy of the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art via the University of Florida Digital Collections

An image from the endoscopy scan inside the head of the bodhisattva. The procedure was done at North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville in 2008.

An image from the endoscopy scan inside the head of the bodhisattva. The procedure was done at North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville in 2008.

Courtesy of the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art via the University of Florida Digital Collections

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