大足石刻（Dazu Rock Carvings）
The Dazu carvings, originating in the early Tang Dynasty (650 AD), evolved over centuries, reaching their peak during the Song Dynasty. Expanding through the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the collection became a vast showcase of Chinese stone carving art. The carvings blend Buddhist, Confucian, and Daoist teachings, making them a key example of late Chinese grotto art and one of the finest achievements of southern China’s cave art.

And it started with a general’s guilt after a war. To atone for the death that he caused, three Buddhist stone carvings were commissioned with fervent wish that peace would prevail.

That started a trend for rich and powerful people to leave their marks on the mountain cliff. For example, a rich family probably prayed for a child and commissioned sculpture of Avalokiteshvara bearing a baby as a boon.

Less powerful people carved smaller and lesser artwork. Then an enigmatic lay Buddhist arrived to preach. He raised funds and inspired many sculptors to work tirelessly on projects that he envisioned. His objective was to promote Buddhism.

The epitome of his project resulted in a massive wall sculpture of avalokiteshvara with 1000 arms, all of them painstakingly sculpted from rock face.

Imagine dedicating a lifetime to chiseling and carving your favourite Buddhist stories into the mountain rocks. And all of that was because you believed that those stories will benefit future generations, imparting them important principles.

The suffering of not getting what you desire. The cat wished for the mouse, while the mouse wish the cat did not exist. But that is life.

Thousands of years later, I am still hearing these stories being retold by tour guides.

May all be well and happy.