Jiajiang Thousand Buddha Rock Carvings Niche 91: Masters of Sizhou

CHINA, Sichuan, Leshan; Tang dynasty

Located among the cliffs on the banks of the Qingyi River, Niche 91 is rectangular and measures 1.9 m wide, 2.2 m high, and 1.1 m deep. The niche houses three statues of Chan masters from Sizhou, which are dated to the Late Tang period (846–907).
The central figure is Master Sengqie, whose head is missing and is seated in full lotus position. Wanhui and Baozhi, both in the relaxation posture with the exterior legs pendent, flank him to the left and right, respectively. Clenched in Master Baozhi’s left hand is a 50 cm long monk’s staff, from which hang objects including a knife, a ruler, and a mirror. Sculpted in accordance to the Chang’an style, the triad is only the second of its kind in Sichuan. The other example is found in Beishan Cave 117 of the Dazu Rock Carvings.
Sengqie, Wanhui, and Baozhi were three eminent and well-respected masters of their time. Master Baozhi lived during the Liang dynasty (502–557), while Sengqie and Wanhui lived during the rules of Emperor Gaozong (reigned 649–683) and Emperor Zhongzong (reigned 683–710) of the Tang dynasty. The words of these masters carried weight and they were venerated as living Bodhisattvas. After their deaths, their images were sculpted in Chang’an (present day Xi’an, Shaanxi), and distributed throughout China. This niche contains the earliest existing statues of them.