Indianaplis Museum of Art, Asian Art Highlights : Standing Bodhisattva, Eastern Wei dynasty

Standing Bodhisattva, Eastern Wei dynasty, 537, sandstone with traces of paint and gold, 19 7/8 x 5 x 3 in. Gift of the Asian Art Society. photo Indianaplis Museum of Art

The first inscription on the base of the statue reads 大魏天平三年十二月十八日清信士佛弟子立德為亡姊敬造石像一驅顛念亡姊託生西方靜佛境界值佛?法常與佛會來世託生王公之家永離苦厄所愿如是

"On the eighteenth day of the twelfth month of the third year of the Tianping era of the Great Wei dynasty [January 14, 537], the pure believing scholar and Buddhist disciple, Li De, had this stone image respectfully made for his deceased older sister, in the hope that his deceased older sister will be reborn in the quiet western Buddhist realm and will enter the way of the Buddha's Law and the Buddha's Assembly.  In coming generations may she be reborn in a royal or noble family and eternally be removed from places of hardship and danger."

The second inscription reads 供養甥凱兒女小婷妻七兒

"Provide nourishment for my nephew, Kaier, and my niece, Xiaoting."

[tr. Thomas. Lawton]

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