A fully illustrated study of the monumental cave complexes of the Baodingshan site at Dazu, in Sichuan province, and their vast treasure trove of Buddhist sculpture and painting.
This is the first English language book to reveal and explain the incredible artworks hidden in this remote site, dating from the Song dynasty and inspired by the profound tenets of esoteric Buddhism. Using brilliant colour photographs and line drawings, Professor Howard presents the caves in the didactic order intended by their creators, explaining all iconography and symbolism, and the hidden meanings in both the individual elements and over-all design. Finally, the author places this magnificent construction within the context of an indigenous style of Buddhist sculpture that flourshed in Sichuan province between the 11th and 13th centuries.
