Stone Prayer Wheel/Sutra Storage Case

Cave #136, 1142-1146 AD
Beishan Grottoes, Dazu

This fine carving in stone, redolent with dragon motifs from top to bottom, is designated as a "prayer wheel" by the label on site. It might also be described as a sutra storage case; the two ideas are compatible, since revolving a sutra case would be magically equivalent to reciting the sutras it contained. The stone carving is, of course, not functional; it is an elaborate imitation of a revolving wooden platform.

The sculpture is located in the center of Cave #136; its left edge can be seen in the photo on the previous page.