Dharani Pillar Inscribed with Buddhas and the "Usnisa-vijaya Dharani",

878 CE; modern rubbing

Below the etched Buddha figures on this rubbing of an octagonal stone pillar are dhāranī, or magical spells, from the Sutra of the Honored and Victorious Dhāranī of the Buddha’s Usnisa. Here, the sounds of the original Sanskrit prayers are rendered phonetically using Chinese characters; the smaller writing to the side indicates correct pronunciation. The sutra explains the function of these pillars: "If anyone writes out this dhāranī and places it on a lofty pillar . . . all such sentient beings, whatever their sins that should result in suffering in rebirth . . . will not be so subjected nor will they be polluted by karmic defilement." Not only would believers be cleansed if they erected pillars, but their relatives could also be saved. The sponsor of this pillar, Pei Qiangou, dedicated it to the salvation of his late mother.