Dazu Rock Carvings Baodingshan Great Buddha Bay Niche 21: Ten Austerities of Liu Benzun

CHINA, Chongqing, Dazu; Southern Song dynasty

Situated in the north cliff, this niche has a flat ceiling and is 24.8 m wide and 14.6 m high. The lintel is inscribed with the words, “Grand Master of the Yogacara School from the Tang Dynasty,” a title honoring Liu Benzun. Round niches containing the Five Dhyani Buddhas and four Bodhisattvas are also carved into the lintel. The five Buddhas form different mudras, whereas the four Bodhisattvas all have palms joined. The main statue within the niche is Liu Benzun. The statue measures 5.2 m high and is almost entirely gilded. Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas are carved beside the main statue, along with two tiers of figures. The upper tier features images of the Ten Austerities of Liu Benzun. The images to the left of the main statue, moving from left to right, depict Liu Benzun 1) burning his finger, 3) burning his ankle, 5) cutting off his ear, 7) burning the top of his head, and 9) burning off his genitals. On the right side, moving from right to left, Liu Benzun is shown 2) standing in the snow, 4) gouging out his eye, 6) burning his chest, 8) cutting off his arm, and 10) burning his knees. Each statue is accompanied by an inscription describing the practice depicted. The lower tier is carved with the 17 attendants of Liu Benzun witnessing the ten austerities. They include Liu Benzun’s male and female disciples, lay devotees, and officials.