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Jiuquan: Gao Shanmu Pagoda
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Jiuquan: Gao Shanmu Pagoda
CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Northern Liang Kingdom (397–439), dated 428; Commissioned by Gao Shanmu; Stone; H: 44.6 cm, Diameter: 15.2 cm; Gansu Provincial Museum, Lanzhou, China
The pagoda was discovered in in Jiuquan 1969. It consists of an octagonal base with images of male and female figures holding offerings. Bagua (Daoist eight diagrams) symbols are visible at the upper right corner of each facet. A circular base sits above the octagonaly base and is covered in inscriptions that was taken from the Ekottara Agama as well as a short explanation for the construction of the stupa. It states that it was commissioned by Gao Shanmu to repay the kindness of his parents. There is an inverted bowl-shaped body which is decorated with seven Buddhas and a Bodhisattva, all seated inside arched niches. They represent the Buddhas of the past and the one to come. There are seven stacked rings that tapers gradually toward the top. |
