Dunhuang: Northern Liang Pagoda
Dunhuang: Northern Liang Pagoda
CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Northern Liang Kingdom
This pagoda was unearthed at Dunhuang in 1949, and represents the early Buddhist architecture in the region. Fourteen similar structures were found in the area. The pagoda is believed to date to the Northern Liang Kingdom (397–439), hence its name.
The pagoda consists of a base, a two-tier body, and a spire. The octagonal base has carvings of heavenly beings with the Bagua (Daoist eight diagrams) symbols above them. The lower body is cylindrical and inscribed with vows and Fascicle 42 of the Ekottara Agama in a calligraphic style used during the Northern Dynasties (386–581). The upper body is in the shape of an inverted bowl and is surrounded by arched niches. Within each niche is a meditating or teaching figure, representing the Seven Buddhas of the Past and a Bodhisattva. The spire consists of three stacked rings.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F, page 308.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Lovelock, Yann and Chou, Yuan and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F},
pages = 308,
title = {{Dunhuang: Northern Liang Pagoda}},
volume = 10,
year = {2016}}