Abstract
A large number of stone blocks, stacked up in diminishing size to form pagodas, was discovered in northern China, primarily eastern Gansu and southeastern Shanxi. Their stylistic traits and inscriptions indicate the popularity of the practice of making stacked pagodas in the Northern dynasties (circa the fifth and sixth centuries CE). They display a variety of Buddhist imagery on surface, which is in contrast with the simplification of the structural elements. This contrast raises questions about how stone pagodas of the time were understood and how they related to contemporaneous pagoda buildings. This essay examines these stacked pagodas against the broader historical and artistic milieu, especially the practice of dedicating Buddhist stone implements, explores the way the stacked pagodas were made, displayed, and venerated, and discusses their religious significance generated beyond their structural resemblance to real buildings.
Highlights
A number of miniature stone pagodas and hundreds of fragmented pieces were discovered at monastic sites and hoarding pits located in northern China (Figure 1)
A particular group comprises pagodas formed by a series of cubical or trapezoidal stone blocks that are once stacked up in diminishing sizes
Photograph courtesy of Tu Shih-yi. Contrasttotothese these typical multistory stone pagodas discussed above, stacked pagoInIncontrast typical multistory stone pagodas discussed above, stacked pagodas das of the sixth century, which are formed by a series of cubical or trapezoidal stone blocks of the sixth century, which are formed by a series of cubical or trapezoidal stone blocks that that are stacked up in diminishing sizes, become intriguing in the terms of the are stacked up in diminishing sizes, become intriguing in terms of absence absence of any architectural elements
Summary
A number of miniature stone pagodas and hundreds of fragmented pieces were discovered at monastic sites and hoarding pits located in northern China (Figure 1). An upsurge of archaeological excavations of pagoda foundations of the Northern dynasties since the second half of the twentieth century CE has brought to light information on pagoda constructions dated to this period, such as the Siyuan fotu 思遠佛圖 at Pingcheng 平城 (present-day Datong 大同, Shanxi Province), Silocated at the City of Ye 鄴, Hebei (Hebei Sheng Wenhuaju Wenwu Gongzuodui 1966; Xia 1966; Dingxian County Museum 1972; Du 1981; Xu 1994; Zhongguo Shehui Kexueyuan Kaogu Yanjiusuo 1996, 2010, 2013; Su 2011) In comparison to their Indian predecessors, surviving Chinese counterparts exhibit much greater diversity in forms, functions, and contexts. Contrasttotothese these typical multistory stone pagodas discussed above, stacked pagoInIncontrast typical multistory stone pagodas discussed above, stacked pagodas das of the sixth century, which are formed by a series of cubical or trapezoidal stone blocks of the sixth century, which are formed by a series of cubical or trapezoidal stone blocks that that are stacked up in diminishing sizes, become intriguing in the terms of the are stacked up in diminishing sizes, become intriguing in terms of absence absence of any architectural elements
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
