Vairocana and Bodhisattvas, Tang Dynasty, Longmen Caves

WHO: Buddha Vairocana (Dari) and Bodhisattva Attendants
WHAT: Monumental Stone Sculpture
WHEN: Tang Dynasty, dated ca. 675 (late seventh century)
WHERE: Longmen Caves, near Luoyang
WHY: Commissioned by Emperor Gaozong and completed by his predecessor, Empress Wu Zetian, "to legitimize her control of China" (Leidy, 93).
HOW: Limestone relief carving in International Tang Style