Zhaozhou Sutra Pillar

CHINA, Hebei, Shijiazhuang

The pillar was constructed on the grounds of Kaiyuan Temple, which no longer exists. It is the highest surviving sutra pillar in China and was built in 1038 during the Northern Song dynasty. It was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 1961.
The stone sutra pillar is 16.4 m high and consists of three sections: the base, body, and spire. The base is divided into three layers: the first layer is a square Sumeru base decorated with carvings of lotus pilasters, warriors, and arched panels in the shape of flames; the second and third layers consist of octagonal Sumeru bases. The concave section of the second layer has a number of pilasters with Bodhisattvas and apsaras featured between each pilaster. On the third layer, each side is divided into three panels with a seated Buddha located in each panel. Above the Sumeru bases there is a representation of Mount Sumeru, which supports the rest of the pillar.
The pillar body consists of three octagonal sections carved with the Usnisavijaya Dharani Sutra. Between each section there is a decorated octagonal canopy above which there are representations of upturned lotuses. The third canopy is plain with pilasters at the corners. The next section features doors, windows and Buddha images and has an octagonal pyramidal roof, above which there are the Eight Classes of Dharma Protectors. The top section is in the shape of a small octagonal pavilion with balustrades and a pyramidal roof. The pavilion was added in 1570 during the Ming dynasty, when the pillar was being repaired. The spire consists of an upright lotus, an inverted bowl, and a bronze flaming jewel.