English: Niche 1 of the Shuining Temple Caves at
Bazhong,
Sichuan, 7th – early 10th century. The central image is a representation of, according to the Chinese book
Buddhist Caves of Bazhong: Tang Sculpture in Color (edited by Bazhong Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau, 2008),
Bhaisajyaguru. However, Professor Angela Falco Howard has a different opinion, as she wrote in her article "Tang Buddhist Sculpture of Sichuan: Unknown and Forgotten" (1988): "Niche number 1 is 1.98 meter high, 1.78 meter wide, and 0.70 meter deep. Its iconography consists of a standing Buddha, perhaps
Kṣitigarbha (Tizang), since he wears a monastic robe, holds a bowl and a staff. The attendant Bodhisattvas are
Avalokiteśvara portrayed holding a bottle and a willow spray and
Mahāsthāmaprāpta. They are guarded by two
Vajirapāṇi. Two
apsarases are shown flying along the frame of the niche. I was told that below this niche there are two fragments of inscriptions, but without a date or donor's name."