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Transformation tableau of the Visualization on the Buddha of Immeasurable Life Sutra (觀無量壽經變, Niche 18, Baodingshan Dafowan Rock Carvings (寶頂山大佛灣摩崖造像) – Sixteen Contemplations

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

Baodingshan Dafowan Rock Carvings (寶頂山大佛灣摩崖造像) is situated in Baoding Town (寶頂鎮), Dazu District (大足區), Chongqing (重慶). The site contains 32 rock carving niches dated to the Southern Song 南宋 Dynasty (1127–1279 CE). This niche depicts a complex transformation tableau of the Visualization on the Buddha of Immeasurable Life Sutra (Guan wuliang shou jingbian 觀無量壽經變). The upper part depicts the Pure Land scene; the middle part contains the Amitabha triad; the bottom part and both sides portray the sixteen contemplations. Depictions of the sixteen contemplations are depicted on either side of the tableau. However, the images of Queen Vaidehi are replaced by meditating practitioners. Descriptions of the photos: Overview of the left side of the tableau that contains the contents of the sixteen contemplations [Image 01, Image 02]. Tablets of "上品觀" (shang pin guan, contemplation of the highest grade of rebirth), "中品觀" (zhong pin guan, contemplation of the middle grade of rebirth), "下品觀" (xia pin guan, contemplation of the lowest grade of rebirth), [Image 03 to Image 09]. Tablets of "普觀" (pu guan, contemplation of the aspirants to the Pure Land), "丈六金身觀" (zhang liu jin shen guan, contemplation of the image of Amitabha) [Image 10]. Meditative figures on the right side of the tableau [Image 11 to Image 14]. Metadata created by: Sau Ling Wendy Yu.

Chongqing (China); Dazu Qu (Chongqing, China); 29.75437; 105.794078

chi

Cluster 3.4: Typologies of Text-Image Relations

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0440551

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