Medieval Chinese Painted Statues: 大足, 安岳石刻

Music: To the West

In this set, we will showcase some of the gorgeous painted stone statues from both Dazu, near Baoding Mountain, and the Anyue County, both locations are situated in Sichuan Province in central- western China and are close to the metropolis of Chongqing.

Painted statue of Manjushri Bodhisattva with pagoda in hand. Dazu Stone Statues, near the city of modern Chongqing. 

DAZU 大足 STONE STATUES

The Dazu rock carvings sites near Chongqing are currently on UNESCO's World Heritage list. The five sites which are strewn across 5 mountains showcase a synchronistic amalgamation of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian carvings. Construction began around 750, and continued into the 17th century. The largest statues were erected primarily around the Song dynasty from the 12th to 13th centuries, the site features exquisitely refined stone carvings of Buddha and Bodhisattvas. During the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD), this area of the Chengdu plain was considered one of the wealthiest regions in China.

Ksitigarbha- or "Bodhisattva of the hell realm" depicted in a seated position. Kṣitigarbha is known for his vow to take responsibility for the instruction of all beings in the six worlds between the death of Gautama Buddha and the rise of Maitreya, as well as his vow not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied. 

Various Bodhisattvas and Arhats offering various tributes. The statues also include Confucian and Daoist sages. the set attempted to create a harmonious Synthesis of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucian traditions.

The circle of reincarnation statue. Detailed and painted carving.

BAODING MOUNTAIN TEMPLE 

An additional note about the Baoding site is that the mountain temple featured one of the largest statues of a gilded Avalokiteshvara (thousand armed Buddha) in the world, which has over 1007 arms. 

ANYUE 安岳 PAINTED STONE STATUES

The stone carvings of Anyue- also located in Sichuan dates back to as early as the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD). Through the Tang (618-907 AD) and Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), Anyue carving developed to its peak. Now there are more than 100,000 stone statues preserved at about 230 sites in Anyue. 

Faded painted statue of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy and embodiment of compassion.

Painted face and full body of a gracefully seated Avalokiteshvara with right arm rested over his knee.

Faded stone relief. Anyue Stone Relifs.

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