Stele

CHINA; Northern Qi dynasty

The intertwining bodies of two dragons compose the curved top section of this stele. Beneath the dragons is an arched niche inset with a Maitreya Bodhisattva, flanked by four other figures in its deep recess. The lower section features a Buddha seated under a flowery canopy, with apsaras on the fringes with their stoles trailing behind them. Disciples are on either side are with Pratyekabuddhas and Bodhisattvas in a row. The Buddha’s hands are most likely in abhaya (fearlessness) and varada (wish-granting) mudras. The Pratyekabuddhas have shell-like hair, while the Bodhisattvas hold a vase or a lotus flower. The monk Huimie commissioned this stele.