Thousand Buddha Pillar

CHINA; Northern Dynasties

Several sutras including Thousand Buddhas of the Past Kalpa Sutra, Thousand Buddhas of the Present Kalpa Sutra, and the Thousand Buddhas of the Future Kalpa Sutra record the existence of innumerable Buddhas, of the past and of the future, who are usually covered by the phrase “Thousand Buddhas.” Representations of the Buddhas are not necessarily numerically exact, as in this example, which contains just 755.
The stone is irregularly shaped and has different numbers of very similar figures aligned on its sides. There are niches on three of the sides at the bottom. The central image depicts a standing Buddha triad positioned between pillars that support an ogee lintel. The large niche on the front has a throned Buddha accompanied by disciples, Bodhisattvas, and warriors. An incense burner flanked by lions is under the seated Buddha. The third niche contains another triad, but with the Buddha seated on a lotus throne from which outgrowths form pedestals for the accompanying Bodhisattvas.