Anyue Wofo Temple Rock Carvings Niche 52: Sutra Pillar

CHINA, Sichuan, Ziyang; Later Shu Kingdom

This relief is located on the back wall of the niche. An inscription on the upper right states that this sutra pillar was commissioned in 961 by Wang Yanzhao, former military officer of Longzhou and Puzhou.
Under the base of the sutra pillar are four Vajrapanibalins, holding the pillar up with their hands. The base is divided into two layers: the lower layer features twin dragons beneath a qilin, and on the upper layer are the Four Heavenly Kings seated with legs pendent. The pillar body is not engraved with any characters, which is somewhat unique, as most sutra pillars are engraved with the Usnisavijaya Dharani Sutra. The top of the sutra pillar is lavishly decorated with carvings including a canopy, a lotus, and small seated Buddhas. Clouds have been carved on either side of the top of the pillar.