Baohua Temple Dabaoguang Stupa

CHINA, Jiangxi, Ganzhou

Dabaoguang means Great Shining Light. The stupa is located within Great Enlightenment Hall of Baohua Temple. It houses the relics of Chan Master Zhizang, the chief disciple of Chan Master Mazu Daoyi. It was made in 819 during the Tang dynasty. However, it was destroyed during the persecution of Buddhism in 845 and was rebuilt in 853. It is made from marble and the surface is as smooth as jade, so it is often called the Jade Stone Stupa. It was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Property in 2006.
The stupa is 4.5 m high. The square Sumeru base consists of three layers and the indented sections are decorated with carvings of Bodhisattvas, lions, phoenixes, qilins, and cloud patterns. There is a niche in the stupa body housing a seated statue of Master Zhizang. There are reliefs of vajrapani on either side of the niche, while kalavinkas are featured above. There are columns at each corner of the stupa body complete with capitals. The columns support a two-tier bracket set with an intercolumnar bracket set in the center. The spire consists of a square harmika, an upturned lotus, an octagonal canopy, and a jewel. Aside from the more obvious decorations, the entire stupa is covered with finely incised floral patterns.