Li, Erjia

My research focuses on Buddhist inscriptions on cliffs dating to China’s late Northern Dynasties in the sixth century. Buddhist ideas were given visible form in these carvings, and they show aspects of the styles of calligraphy used with Buddhism. To understand these cliff carvings of the late Northern Dynasties, I will be considering the political and social conditions of their production, as well as Buddhist practice at the time. This will help me examine the reasons for the engraving of the sutras and the significance of their style. To explore this topic in detail, I have narrowed my focus to the late Northern Qi Dynasty, which lasted from 550 to 581. This short dynasty was a key period for engraving activities.