Bodhisattiva
At the time, popular belief banned demons and ghosts for all suffering. Placing the bodhisattva above subservient beasts showed the power of Buddhist wisdom to overcome superstitious fears. This arrangement can be seen in the North Cave at norther Xangtangshan, where sixteen deep niches designed as jeweled pagodas lined the walls. Each held a deity, such as this bodhisattva The pagoda niches were supported by kneeling winged monsters. The monsters were reliefs carved into the cavern walis, the freestanding bodhisattva images were fashioned from smestone brought from local quarries. Today, all of the cave’s riches have lost their their onginal deities and many beasts have been chiseled off the wall. The North Cave was the earliest and most impressive construction at Xiangtangshan and was likely sponsored by the first ruler of the Northern Qi dynasty Emperor Werxuan (reigned 550-59). Photo from Washington, DC, 2026.