The Dazu Rock Carvings — The Peacock King

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Country: China Subject: The Peacock King Period: N. Song Dynasty Date: 1126 A.D. Format: Sculpture Medium: Sandstone

The peacock king was a former incarnation of Śākyamuni. When as a peacock he sucked from a rock water of miraculous healing power. He is now one of the mahārāja bodhisattvas, with four arms, who rides on a peacock. The lotus throne in the sculpture represents a sense of original purity. The presence of the thousand Buddhas, the enlightened, on both sides of the wall also encourage devotees to strive for enlightenment and purity, which are the principles of Buddhism.

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