Pengyang: Stele

CHINA, Ningxia, Guyuan; Northern Wei dynasty

Two inscriptions, located on the side and back, date this artistic stele to 531 of the Northern Wei dynasty. It is divided into two unequal niches carved in deep relief. The upper section is arched and features Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Buddhas seated together on a long bench. As they discuss the Dharma, an audience of four monks appear behind them.
The bottom section depicts a Bodhisattva standing within a petal-shaped mandorla, the blazing tip of which extends into the upper portion of the stele. The central figure wears a stylized headdress and collar necklace. The robe covers both shoulders and is opened at the chest and overhung by stoles. The right hand is raised in abhaya (fearlessness) mudra. Six supporting figures are pressed against the sides of the stele; the bald heads distinguish four monks, while the two figures at the front have hair swept into double topknots.