Stele

CHINA; Northern Wei dynasty

A floral patterned ogee arch surmounts the curved niche at the center of the stele, above which are five meditating Buddhas in small niches attended by a disciple on either side. The central Buddha image within the niche wears an inner robe beneath the monastic robe with recurring pleats that flows down to cover the platform on which he sits in half lotus position. He makes the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra with his right hand and another mudra with his left. The Bodhisattvas standing in attendance are enclosed by mandorlas. The one on the right joins palms in respect while the Bodhisattva on the left holds an object. Lions guard either side of the platform and under them are three tiers of Buddhas meditating, eight to a row.
Sculpted on the side are three more tiers of Buddha images with an inscription engraved below stating Yang Azhen dedicated the stele in 532 for his parents during his past seven lives. Many other Buddhist devotees also made the dedications.