Lingquan Temple Caves Dazhu Cave: Masters Propagating the Dharma

CHINA, Henan, Anyang; Sui dynasty

Inside Dazhu Cave’s front (south) wall on the left of the entrance, this bas-relief carving depicts the Twenty-Four Masters Propagating the Dharma. It is divided into six rows, each of which portrays four eminent monks who sit in pairs and face one another. Name, residence, and basic information are provided beneath each master.
The Twenty-Four Masters Propagating the Dharma comes from the Account of the Causes and Conditions of the Dharma-Treasury Transmission. One of several similar accounts, the text was widely distributed after the persecution of Buddhism by Emperor Taiwu (reigned 423–452) of the Northern Wei dynasty. The attempt to revitalize Buddhism using the account commenced with Emperor Wencheng (reigned 452–465). Variations on the theme are seen in other caves and structures such as the Middle Leigutai Grotto and Kanjing Temple of the Longmen Grottoes.