Bazhong Rock Carvings Southern Niche 62

CHINA, Sichuan, Bazhong

Also known as the Niche of the Illustration of Amitabha Sutra, Southern Niche 62 lies within the middle layer of the northern section of Shenxian Slope’s east cliff. The construction on this niche started during the High Tang period (712–756). The niche measures 3.32 m wide, 2.5 m high, and 1.2 m deep. It is a large double-layer niche with the inner niche carved to resemble a double-eave canopy. Inside the inner niche are three main statues depicting Amitabha Buddha and two Bodhisattvas. The 1.06 m high Amitabha Buddha, dressed in a monastic robe, is seated in full lotus position on a raised lotus platform, forming a mudra with both hands. The multi-layered nimbus is carved with flames in the outer layer, three Buddha images in the middle layer, and lotus petals in the inner layer. There is a seated Bodhisattva located on each of the side walls. Each Bodhisattva wears a headdress and ornaments, and has a double-layered nimbus behind them.
Surrounding Amitabha Buddha are reliefs of 52 Bodhisattvas seated on lotus platforms carved with stems to resemble actual lotus flowers. They wear various styles of headdresses and ornaments, and asumme various postures. Two warriors stand at the entrance of the niche with bare, muscular upper bodies, and fearsome expressions. On the right wall of the outer niche is a relief statue of an apsara, repainted during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). An inscription on the left wall of the outer niche is dated to 904 during the Song dynasty and is engraved with the names Yang Yishan and Wang Baohui.