Open Collections

Niches 55-1, 56, 57, 58, Beishan Rock Carvings (北山石刻)

From the Ground Up: Buddhism & East Asian Religions (FROGBEAR Project)

This complex of niches is located in Beishan Rock Carvings (北山石刻), Fowan (佛灣), Dazu (大足) District, Chongqing. Niche 55-1: A seated figure is depicted. Since it is severely eroded, its identity is unknown. Niche 56: A warrior-like seated figure is depicted in the centre. Two small images on both sides flank it. Besides, there is a small seated image inside the auspicious cloud motif on the central figure’s right. However, since these figures are severely eroded, their identities are unknown. Niche 57: A Buddha with a cassock covering both shoulders and a circular halo is seated with crossed legs on a lotus throne. A pair of kalaviṅka (Chinese: jialingpinjia 迦陵頻伽) is depicted in front of the lotus throne. The objects in their hands cannot be recognized. Besides, two standing bodhisattvas with peach-shaped halos flank the central Buddha. The one on the Buddha's right holds a jewel in his hands, while the holding object carried by the other bodhisattva is unknown. Niche 58: Five figures are depicted. A pair of bodhisattvas seated side by side on lotus thrones are flanked by a pair of standing bodhisattvas on the side walls. All of them have peach-shaped head halos and oval body halos decorated with flame patterns. Both bodhisattvas on the side walls hold a plate of offerings. Canopies are depicted above the two bodhisattvas in the centre. Besides, a female donor image is seated on an auspicious cloud motif between them. Two sets of inscriptions are found on both sides of the outer niche frame, indicating that it is a niche for Kṣitigarbha (Chinese: Dicang pusa地藏菩薩) and the salvational Avalokitesvara (salvational Guanyin; Chinese: Jiuku guanyin pusa救苦觀音菩薩). The niche was offered by Wang Zongjing 王宗靖 and decorated by Zhao Shike 趙師恪 in 896 CE (乾寧三年) of the Tang Dynasty. Source: Dazu shike yanjiuyuan 大足石刻研究院. Dazu shike quanji 大足石刻全集 [Dazu Rock Carvings] Edited by Li Fangyin 黎方銀. 10 vols. Vol. 1-1, Chongqing: Chongqing chubanshe, 2018, pp. 229-230. Descriptions of the photos: Key to the niches [1] Overview of the niches [2] The surrounding environment of the niches [3, 4] Close-up of Niche 55-1 [5] Close-up of Niche 56 [6] Close-up of Niche 57 [7] Close-up of the kalaviṅka images in Niche 57 [8] Close-up of Niche 58 [9] Close-up of right side wall, Niche 58 [10] Close-up of left side wall, Niche 58 [11] Metadata created by: Sau Ling Wendy Yu.

Chongqing (China)); Dazu Qu (Chongqing, China); 29.71282; 105.71016

chi

Cluster 3.4: Typologies of Text-Image Relations

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0433136

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