Unknown Maker, Chinese

In about the fifth century, as Buddhism became firmly established in China with imperial support, many large-scale cave sites and smaller stone stelas were constructed, commissioned by Buddhist followers hoping to improve their karma.

On this stela, the historic Buddha is accompanied by two bodhisattvas, Guanyin to the right and Dashizhi to the left. In a large cloud behind them are seven smaller Buddhas of the past and a flaming mandorla.