Decoration on the North Pagoda

Chongsheng Si, Dali

The wood-imitating eaves are decorated with rosettes above a band of stylized lotus petals. The octagonal levels between the eaves are set upon a lotus base; each face is framed by pillars. Three levels are shown here. On the lowest, each face is occupied by a central niche containing a Buddha statue (some statues have been lost and their corresponding niche has been restored empty). The faces of the next level up are decorated with Ashokan style (single-story single-level) pagoda facades. The facades of multiple-storied pagodas occupy the level above. A Pure Land symbolism is evoked by this decoration, representing the abodes of the gods and spirits who are reincarnated into one of the Buddhist directional paradises.