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• 1 2024-11-19T15:54:48-08:00 When and why was this stele made? 8 plain 2024-11-21T09:42:17-08:00

  
  This stele was likely created around the 6th century CE in the Shaanxi province in China. Buddhism was extremely popular in Northern China leading up to the 6th century. However, it was also caught up in political turmoil following the collapse of the Han Dynasty in 220 CE. The eventual location of the creation of the stele was the capital of several short-lived regional dynasties until eventually being taken over by the Northern Wei Dynasty. In the late 5th century CE, Northern Wei Emperor Xiaowen enacted reforms that sought to reshape the area's culture. A consequence of these reforms is a visible change in the style of Buddhist art from foreign influence to a traditional Chinese aesthetic. The Northern Wei Dynasty controlled parts of the Shaanxi province, and this Buddhist stele was created in this context. 
  
  
  Many of the steles created during this time were sponsored by families or individual donors, including members of the imperial family. These steles were commissioned to enrich a temple environment, suggesting they were meant to aid in worship practices. Buddhism grew popular in China during the Northern Wei not only because it was the state religion of the Tuoba Wei rulers but also because it emphasized ensuring the quality of an individual’s next life. This idea appealed to people of all social classes; as such, steles like this were often commissioned to secure comfort for an individual and his family in their future lives. 
  
  
  Cave temples and carvings like this stele have been found at essential locations along ancient roadways. These sites were undoubtedly important for Buddhist missionaries and could have been places to stop. The stele presents the Buddha frontally enthroned and flanked by two bodhisattvas, suggesting it was necessary for the worship practices of Buddhist devotees. The second side of the stele, in addition to a standing Buddha triad, displays narrative scenes from the life of Prince Siddhartha, the historical Buddha. This piece may have been used by monks to spread the teachings of the Buddha. 
  
  Jacob Ryan, Class of 2025, College of the Holy Cross

• 1 2024-11-19T16:11:15-08:00 Where did this stele go? 5 plain 2024-11-21T09:42:58-08:00

  This limestone and polychrome stele was crafted in the eastern region of the Shaanxi Province of China during the late Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 CE). The artwork is not portable due to its immense weight; however, it signifies Buddhism’s status as a swift, missionary religion through its rapid gain of traction amongst Northern Wei people in the late 5th and early 6th centuries. 
  

  Just prior to the time of this stele’s creation, the Northern Wei court began a period of extensive reform by constructing a new imperial capital at Luoyang in 494 CE, solidifying the foreign Tuoba Wei rulers’ adoption of Chinese cultural and political institutions. Northern Wei emperor Xiaowen’s political initiatives influenced the Chinese representation of Buddha and created a more robust narrative for worship and religious conversion to Buddhism. Buddhist steles during this period existed primarily in cave temples, namely the Yünkang caves-temples, located near Datong in modern-day Shanxi province, which is adjacent to the east of Shaanxi province; as well as the Longmen cave-temples, located near Luoyang in modern-day Henan province. Seated Buddha With Attending Bodhisattvas may have been placed in one of these cave temples, designated as a center of worship. 

  This stele is emblematic of Buddhist theocracy, as Buddhist teachings and principles were woven into the fabric of governance for the Northern Wei during the period this statue was created. Monks often acted as advisors to the court, influencing decisions on statecraft and diplomacy. The dynasty saw itself as the protector of the Buddhist faith, sponsored numerous artistic projects, and endorsed Buddhism’s moral teachings to promote social harmony and order. Cross-cultural connections outside of China are also present in the stele, as shown through conventional and enduring iconographic traits that transcend time and space. Seated Buddha With Attending Bodhisattvas demonstrates how, as a theocracy, Buddhism formed a central hub between differing Asian countries like India and China.
  
  Calahan McPherson, Class of 2025, College of the Holy Cross