Anyue Mingshan Temple Rock Carvings

CHINA, Sichuan, Ziyang

The Anyue Mingshan (Tea Mountain) Temple Rock Carvings are located on the peak of Hutoushan (Tiger Head Mountain) in Minle village, 60 km southeast of Anyue county. There are currently 20 niches, 63 sculptures, 19 stele inscriptions, and 4 cliff inscriptions at the site. The inscriptions, recording the restoration of sculptures and the renovation of temples, are dated to the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. Based on the clothing and features of the figures, the sculptures were originally made during the Song dynasty (960–1279). The area was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2006.
The sculptures at the site include many Buddhist figures such as Vairocana Buddha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, Manjusri Bodhisattva, and the Twelve Yaksa Generals. Other carvings, such as those in the joint cave of Vairocana Buddha and the Deity of the East Mountain, reflect the integration of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism in the region.
Among the niches at the site, of particular interest are Niches 2, 3, 5 and 12. Niche 2 features sculptures of Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas, along with 15 other freestanding statues including Sakyamuni Buddha, Medicine Buddha, the Twelve Perfect Enlightenment Bodhisattvas, and figures making offerings. These sculptures were restored during the Qing dynasty, and nine stele inscriptions carved during the rule of Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–1795) and Emperor Daoguang (reigned 1821–1850) were added to the niche. Niche 3 contains a sculpture of Manjusri Bodhisattva standing at a height of 5 m. Niche 5 is a large, arch-shaped niche featuring a single sculpture of Vairocana Buddha. Niche 12 is an oblong niche with a width of 9.6 m and a height of 2.3 m, featuring the Twelve Yaksa Generals, which were carved during the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) and measure 1.8 m in height. The figures wear helmets and armor, have wrathful facial expressions, and hold a variety of weapons and Dharma instruments.