Maijishan Grotto 133: Stele 16

CHINA, Gansu, Tianshui; Northern Wei dynasty

This rectangular stele is located on the right side of the front wall and has four registers. The top register is 53 cm high and contains six sections. In the two central sections, three Buddhas at the top and five Buddhas at the bottom are depicted sitting in the lotus position on lotus thrones. All these Buddhas form the dhyana (meditation) mudra with both hands, except for the central Buddha at the bottom who raises the right hand. The upper left section portrays Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Buddhas, while the upper right illustrates Vimalakirti and Manjusri Bodhisattva. The lower left section depicts a standing Buddha teaching the Dharma, and the lower right shows a Buddha with two Bodhisattvas.
The second register is 44 cm high and has two rows, each containing the Seven Buddhas seated in full lotus position on lotus thrones. The top row is more detailed and elaborate than the bottom row, and the center Buddha on the top is larger than the others.
The third register is 56 cm high and is divided into three sections. The middle section has a large depiction of three Buddhas sitting under a canopy on a single Sumeru throne, outside which stand two Dharma protectors. The fourth register is 30 cm high and contains two rows, each housing the Seven Buddhas.