Shifo Temple Rock Carvings

CHINA, Chongqing, Jiangjin

The temple is located 3 km south of Jiangjin. Its construction began during the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127). There are six niches remaining with over 400 sculptures. Niche 1 features Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, flanked by apsaras on the wall above the figure, and two Bodhisattvas making offerings on both sides below.
Niche 2 depicts an illustration of the nine nagas bathing Prince Siddhartha. It is shallow and rectangular, measuring 0.82 m in width, 1.82 m in height, and 0.17 m in depth. The side frames of the niche are adorned with the bodies of nagas, and the lintel holds nine naga heads, which are spouting water down over Prince Siddhartha. The prince’s right arm is bent, pointing his fingers up to the sky, while his left hand hangs down and points to the earth. This gesture symbolizes the famous quote, “In heaven and earth, I am foremost!”
The Medicine Buddha is depicted in Niche 3, sitting in the full lotus position on a lotus platform. To either side of the Buddha are the attendant Bodhisattvas, Suryaprabha and Candraprabha, both of whom sit upon lotus thrones. An inscription dated to 1406 of the Ming dynasty is located on the right frame of the entrance.
Niche 4 features Master Sengqie, an eminent master from Sizhou during the Tang dynasty (618–907). The figure, backed by an aureole, wears a hat and a monastic robe, with hands joined and elbows resting upon the arms of his raised, square throne. Two monks are carved on either side of Sengqie, one grasping a monk’s staff and the other holding a water vessel. There is an inscription within the niche that is dated to 1152 of the Southern Song dynasty.