I have no purpose or argument

Stele.

The different commemorative function of text (Confucian) vs. imagery (Buddhist, ritual)?
The breaking up/minimizing of text = what happened?

Monumentality of Stele
Stele = both public/private
Compare to funerary shrines (public, for one person/family) and larger sponsored buddhist art (public, for general). Dorothy Wong already did Chinese literary/commemorative stele.
Social background of Stele-erectors.

The intermingling of 2 sets of visual vocabulary: Buddhist vs. Funerary? (flexibility of icon <-How arrive at icon (religious vs. mass production). Mixture of art styles. )

Use for ethnic purposes?
Vimalakirti = Chinese, gentry, individual
Stele = Chinese
State Buddhism at first juxtaposition against Southern Chinese, foreign, silk road.
The sinification of the Tuoba Wei.