Art

  • The Arhats Kanakavasta, Vajriputra, Kanaka Bharadvaja, and Bhadra From a series of 7 thangkas with Buddha Shakyamuni and the 18 arhats
  • Vijaya Stupa
  • Amida Nyorai, Buddha of the Western Paradise
  • Head of a Buddha
  • Sitatara, White Tara
  • Votive Stela Depicting Buddha Shakyamuni
  • The Prophecy of the Buddha Dipankara
  • The Descent of Buddha Amida
  • Vase with Lotus Vines and the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism
  • Ceremonial Dagger Featuring the God of Death
  • Portrait of the Abbot Ennin
  • Empress Jito, from the series “Parody of the Ogura Version of ‘One Hundred Poets, One Hundred Poems’ ”
  • Buddha Shakyamuni
  • Thangka of the Twenty-One Taras
  • The Death of the Buddha
  • Vajradhara, the Primordial Buddha
  • Buddha Shakyamuni
  • Padmasambhava with his 25 Tibetan Pupils From a series of 7 thangkas
  • Buddha Shakyamuni at the Moment of his Awakening
  • Standing Bodhisattva
  • Machig Labdrön
  • Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion
  • The Buddha Invokes the Earth Goddess as his Witness
  • Dakini Vasya-Vajravarahi
  • Bodhidharma Crosses the Yangtze River on a Reed
  • Ushnishavijaya
  • Head of the Buddha
  • Standing Monk with Hands Folded
  • Monumental Head of a Bodhisattva
  • The Bodhisattva of Compassion as the Bringer of Sons
  • Dharani Sutra of the Heart of the Perfection of Insight
  • Buddha Dipankara, the Buddha of the Past
  • The Arhats Vanavasin, Angaja, Kalika, and Ajita From a series of 7 thangkas with Buddha Shakyamuni and the 18 arhats
  • Hotei, One of the Gods of Good Fortune, with Child
  • Shakyamuni Enters Nirvana
  • Buddha Shakyamuni as a Newborn Infant
  • Bodhidharma
  • Head of the Buddha
  • Leaving for Homelessness
  • Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, as the Patron of fishermen
  • Buddha Shakyamuni From a series of 7 thangkas with Buddha Shakyamuni and the 18 arhats
  • Great Stupa at Sanchi
  • Sakya Pandita (1182–1252)
  • Buddha Shakyamuni 
  • Padmasambhava with his 25 Tibetan Pupils From a series of 7 thangkas
  • State Oracle Garment
  • Six Persimmons
  • The Bodhisattva of Compassion Sitting in Meditation
  • Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion
  • The Four Pleasures of Nan Shenglu (detail)
  • Stupa
  • The Buddha Begins Teaching
  • Buddha Shakyamuni and the Earth-Touching Gesture
  • Buddha Shakyamuni Attains Awakening Under the Bodhi Tree
  • Praying Priest
  • Budai
  • Standing Buddha Shakyamuni
  • Buddha Maitreya
  • Yakshi, Nymph with Lotus Flowers, fragment of a baluster
  • Buddhist Votive Stela of the Yan Family
  • The Arhats Bakula, Rahula, Cudapanthaka, and Pindola From a series of 7 thangkas with Buddha Shakyamuni and the 18 arhats
  • Rectangular Coin
  • Buddhist Votive Tablet
  • Mahasiddha Virupa
  • Zen Priest in a Golden Wrap
  • Buddhist Pocket-sized Prayer Altar
  • Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion
  • The Transcendent Buddha Akshobhya
  • Buddhist Votive Tablet
  • Buddha Shakyamuni
  • Gendün Gyatso, the 2nd Dalai Lama (1476–1542)
  • Half-length Portrait of the Zen Patriarch Bodhidharma
  • Printing Block for a Prayer from the Text “Embodiment of the Three Jewels” by Jatson Nyingpo (1585–1656)
  • Votive Stela with Buddha Shakyamuni
  • Buddhist Monk
  • Pancha Raksha Manuscript
  • Buddha Shakyamuni
  • Travel Shrine
  • Gazelle
  • Buddha Shakyamuni Sheltered by the Serpent-King
  • Stela Showing Scenes from the Life of the Buddha
  • Seated Bodhisattva
  • Stupa
  • The Four Excursions
  • The Buddha’s Parinirvana
  • Guhyamanjuvajra
  • Dharmapala Yama
  • Mara’s Daughters Tempt the Buddha
  • Jizo Bosatsu, Bodhisattva in the Guise of a Monk
  • Jambhala, the God of Wealth
  • The Three Buddhas Dipankara, Shakyamuni, and Maitreya
  • Bust of a Luohan
  • Plaque Showing the Buddha Teaching
  • Buddha Shakyamuni Tames the Wild Elephant Nalagiri
  • Standing Buddha Amida
  • Buddha Vairocana
  • Standing Buddha Shakyamuni
  • Baisajyaguru, the Medicine Buddha
  • Buddhist Monastic Rules from the Pali Canon
  • Dharmatala and two lokapalas From a series of 7 thangkas with Buddha Shakyamuni and the 18 arhats
  • Standing Buddha Shakyamuni
  • Head of a Bodhisattva
  • Relief of the Five Transcendent Buddhas
  • Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
  • Padmasambhava
  • Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion
  • Buddha Shakyamuni with Scenes from his Life
  • Female Monkey with Her Young
  • The Layman Huashang and Two Lokapalas From a series of 7 thangkas with Buddha Shakyamuni and the 18 arhats
  • Buddha Shakyamuni
  • Standing Buddha
  • Head of a Lokeshvara
  • The Ascetic Milarepa
  • Shaka Nyorai, the Historical Buddha
  • The Arhats Panthaka, Gopaka, Nagasena, and Abheda From a series of 7 thangkas with Buddha Shakyamuni and the 18 arhats
  • Hotei
  • Green Tara (Shyama Tara)
  • Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom
  • The Prophecy of the Wise Asita
  • Seated Bodhisattva
  • The 4th Dalai Lama Yonten Gyatso (1589–1617)
  • Monastic Rules for Monks
  • Standing Tara
  • Portrait of the Zen Priest Gemmon Doyu
  • Large Votive Stupa
  • Taima Mandala, the Buddha Amida’s Paradise
  • The Descent of Buddha Amida
  • Buddha Shakyamuni Meditating Under the Bodhi Tree
  • Prince Siddhartha’s Wedding
  • Buddha Shakyamuni Invokes the Earth Goddess as his Witness
  • Shyamatara, Green Tara
  • Head of a Monk
  • Buddha Shakyamuni
  • Excerpt from the Lotus Sutra
  • Shyamatara, Green Tara
  • Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion in the Posture of Royal Ease
Votive Stela Depicting Buddha Shakyamuni

Votive Stela Depicting Buddha Shakyamuni

Monks, bodhisattvas, and guardian figures surround the Buddha on this almost 1,500-year old stela from China. Each one of them is a member of the Buddhist community in his own special way. 

Audio Description

https://rietberg.fluxguide.com/fluxguide/Icon Audiodeskription

What is the story behind this crowded stone panel?

https://rietberg.fluxguide.com/fluxguide/Votive Stela Depicting Buddha Shakyamuni

You’re at the Museum Rietberg, standing before this work of art?

Rear of the Votive Stela

https://rietberg.fluxguide.com/fluxguide/Rear of the Votive Stela

Main hall of Changle monastery, northern Xiangtangshan, Henan province, China

https://rietberg.fluxguide.com/fluxguide/Main hall of Changle monastery, northern Xiangtangshan, Henan province, China

Votive stelae were erected in the courtyard of a Buddhist temple but you also often found them standing in a village or at a crossroads.