This votive monument shaped as a 'mandorla'[?] on a quadrangular base. One one side depicts the historical Buddha Shakyamuni and also the "universal body" of The BuddhaDainichi - surrounded by monks and bodhisattvas; and, on the reverse, a Maitreya Buddha announced in future time. The style clearly indicates a creation of the era of the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577), short and crucial period in routing to Chinese expression in sculpture and Buddhist icons. A double inscription on the back says, "The monk Fayin, bikshu disciple of Buddha"; The beautiful white marble and highlights of polychrome suggests that this monument was created in the imperial worshops of Hebei.

(source; Guimet Museum)

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