Dazu Rock Carvings Shizhuanshan Niche 9: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and the Ten Kings of Hell

CHINA, Chongqing, Dazu; Northern Song dynasty

This niche has a width of 5.5 m, a height of 1.8 m, and a depth of 1.54 m. The central figure is the seated Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. A monk with his hands clasped over his chest is behind and to the right of the Ksitigarbha. An attendant holding a monk’s staff is depicted to the left. The Ten Kings of Hell are positioned beside these figures. King Biancheng, King Taishan, King Pingzheng, King Doushi, and King Zhuanlun are seen to the left, while King Yama, King Wuguan, King Songdi, King Chujiang, and King Qinguang are on the right. Seven attendants are depicted in the back row. Two hell officials, Official of Present Retribution and Official of Quick Retribution, guard the sides of the niche. A cartouche in the niche dates from 1096 and identifies the sculptors as Wen Weijian of Yueyang, and his sons Ju’an and Juli.