Shizhongshan Grottoes Niche 6

CHINA, Yunnan, Dali

Niche 6, located in the vicinity of Shizhong Temple, is the largest niche set in the Shizhongshan Grottoes. It is also known as Wisdom King Shrine. It was sculpted during the Nanzhao (752–902) and Dali (937–1253) Kingdoms. Five separate niches make up the set, and the structures are constructed in such a way as to imitate wooden structures. The platform below the niches has a height of 1.4 m and is carved with, among other things, ornamental paintings, as well as flowers and vegetation.
The central niche contains Vairocana Buddha in a monastic robe sitting in full lotus position on a lotus platform supported by a Sumeru throne. The Buddha is flanked by disciples. Eight Wisdom Kings, identifiable by the tablets behind them, can be found spread across the four niches on either side of the main niche. Two other statues are to the left and right of these niches. The statue to the left is Mahakala, wearing a wrathful expression and a band of heads and skulls hanging across his body. Vaisravana, the Heavenly King of the North, is to the right and is depicted trampling a yaksa. Both of these figures have been revered historically by the Bai ethnic group.