Dazu Rock Carvings Baodingshan Great Buddha Bay Niche 22: Ten Wisdom Kings

CHINA, Chongqing, Dazu; Southern Song dynasty

This niche is situated in the north cliff. It depicts the Ten Wisdom Kings, wrathful deities featured primarily in Vajrayana Buddhist traditions. According to these traditions, certain Buddhas can manifest as Wisdom Kings in order to protect and educate sentient beings. Their primary role is to protect practitioners from evil influences, and to employ fear as a tool to help sentient beings overcome their afflictions and stay on the right path.
In this portrayal, the number of heads and arms of each Wisdom King varies between two, three, or four heads, and four or six arms. They look wrathful and fearsome, and have powerful physiques. The figures are carved in an exaggerated way in order to make them appear as frightening as possible.
Interestingly, these carvings appear to be partially unfinished, providing a unique opportunity for researchers to study the methods employed by ancient artisans.