Songjiang Sutra Pillar

CHINA, Shanghai

The sutra pillar is situated on the grounds of Zhongshang Primary School. It was built in 859 during the Tang dynasty, and it is one of the better preserved and larger sutra pillars from that period. It was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 1988.
This octagonal stone sutra pillar is 9.3 m high. Its base is separated into three layers. The first layer is decorated with waves, while its concave section is carved with dragons. The concave sections of the second and third layers are decorated with carvings of seated lions and Bodhisattvas. Above the base there is a set of balustrades surrounding the pillar body. The pillar body itself is divided into five sections. The first section is 76 cm high and consists of two parts. The lower part measures 46 cm high and is carved with the names of the donors. The upper part is 177 cm high and carved with the Usnisavijaya Dharani Sutra. The second section of the pillar body consists of a canopy decorated with lions’ heads holding rings in their mouths. The canopy supports a pillar body carved with a beaded pattern. The third section of the pillar is decorated with carvings of the Four Heavenly Kings standing on clouds. The fourth section consists of upturned octagonal eaves, which are decorated with carvings of dragons. The eaves support a plain round pillar. The fifth section includes a blooming lotus, which supports a pillar carved with seated Buddhas. Above this there is an octagonal pyramidal roof. At the top there is a smooth, octagonal stone. Whatever was above this stone has been destroyed. The whole sutra pillar has been crafted in careful detail.