CHINA, TANG DYNASTY (AD 618-907)

The inscription on the square base begins with a date, first year (bingyin), eighth month, first day (jiawu), of the Qianfeng reign (corresponding to AD 666), followed by the name, Wang Fengren of Gaolin county [Shaanxi province], and military rank, zuojianmen jiaowei, of the shrine's lead donor. The remainder of the text denotes that this figure of Amitabha was dedicated for his ancestors, living family members, all humankind and himself. Carved on the other three sides are the names of other donors from the Wang family, and several other donors.