Dazu Rock Carvings Baodingshan Great Buddha Bay Niche 30: Ox Herding

CHINA, Chongqing, Dazu; Southern Song dynasty

This 4.55 m high by 27 m long carving is located on the western section of the south cliff. Unlike many of the other carvings at Baodingshan, it is unpainted. According to the inscription, these carvings are based on the Ox Herding Verses, written by Yang Jie, a magistrate of Runzhou with the honor of the purple robe and golden fish bag. Yang Jie, also known as Wuwei, was well-versed in Buddhism, visited many monasteries, and authored the Collection of Wuwei.
There are ten scenes in total. From east to west they are: Before Herding, Initial Adjustment, Being Controlled, Looking Back, Tamed, Unhindered, Act Freely, Both Forgotten, Solitary, and Both Extinguished. Ox herding is used as a metaphor to help a practitioner understand the stages of Chan practice. The ox represents the mind, and the herder is the practitioner. The carving implies that through Buddhist practice, the mind, like the ox, can be tamed through diligent effort.
Most of the figures in this set of carvings are life-sized. The herder is depicted in various positions including strolling beside the ox, talking, playing a flute, and sleeping. The ox is shown licking its hooves, drinking, and kneeling down as if resting.