Longmen Grottoes

Luoyang, known as one of the oldest cities and the cultural centers in China, boasts of its historical heritages, religious remains as well as natural landscapes. Longmen Grottoes nestled on the both banks along Yi River, 13 kilometers south of Luoyang downtown. Together with Yungang Grottoes in Datong and Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Longmen Grottoes is one of the three treasure houses of Buddhism art in China.

History

The grottoes was named Longmen, which means “Dragon Gate”, because the two mountains standing along the Yi River as if a gate. And Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty (581-618) built his palace in Luoyang facing the gate. In ancient China, people believed the emperor was the son of heaven and dragon was the symbol of emperor, hence the gate was called Dragon Gate.

Longmen Grottoes were constructed since the year 494 when Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty (368-534) moved the capital to Luoyang. The following dynasties worked on it for another 400 years until Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). The grottoes extend for 1,000 meters with 2,345 caves, 2,800 steles, 70 pagodas and over 110,000 sculptured figures. Most of these works date from Northern Wei Dynasty and flourishing Tang Dynasty (618-907) when Buddhism prevailed around central China.

Attractions

In 2000, the Longmen Grottoes was added on the List of World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. It reflects the gradual progress of Chinese civilization and Buddhist sculptures in China through grandiose caves filled with immense Buddhas decorated with intricate designs.

Qianxi Temple

Built in Tang Dynasty, it is the first large cave on the south part of west mountain area. The primer figure is Amitabha Buddha sitting in the center flanked by Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta on each side. They are carved with plump appearance and amiable expression that reflect the prosperous social condition and open social morality of Tang Dynasty.

Binyang Caves

After visiting Qianxi Temple, you will reach Binyang Caves, which are three large scales caves. The three caves were constructed from 500 to 523. Among them, the middle one is the only one that completed in Northern Wei Dynasty in the purpose of blessing Emperor Xuanwu’ s parents. On the three walls from South to North carved Buddhas of Three Periods, namely Dipamkara, Sakyamuni and Maitreya. The floor is engraved with lotus flowers, ripples and other decorations, making it looks like a gorgeous carpet.

Originally, one large embossment decorated on the both walls inside cave’s gate. The north one is Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei Dynasty and his attendants paying respects for Buddha, and the other one is his empress and concubines paying respects for Buddha. Unfortunately, the two embossments were stolen in 1930s. Now they are stored in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas respectively.

Ten Thousand Buddha Cave

Ten Thousand Buddha Cave, completed in 680, is so named because 150,000 small figures of Buddha carved on the wall of the cave. The primer Buddha Amitabha sits on the lotus throne with a solemn face and peaceful gesture. On the wall behind Amitabha engraved with 52 lotus flowers carrying 52 Bodhisattva in different shapes and with various expressions.

The north and south walls are carved with over 150,000 small statues of Buddha which are only 4 centimeter tall. The roof of the cave is decorated with charming lifelike dancers. In addition, singers with various kinds of instruments chiseled on the wall. Standing in the cave and sightseeing these Buddhas, dances and singers as if bump into a peaceful, lively and cheerful world.

An 85 meters high statue of Kwan-yin holding a bottle in his left hand and a horsetail in the right hand stand on the south wall outside the cave. Designed finely and carved exquisitely, the figure is reputed as the best example among the Tang Dynasty Bodhisattva statue in Longmen Grottoes.

Lotus Cave

The cave gets the name because well sculptured lotus flower if engraved on the dome. Lotus flower is the symbol of Buddhism due to its purity. Lotus are always carved on the roof of Buddhism grottoes, while the huge elegant one in Lotus Cave is still a treasure in Longmen. Around the lotus are six flying musicians holding salver and fruits while dancing with the melodies of music.

Inside the cave, Sakyamuni stands in the middle companied by Jia Ye, one of the ten great disciples of him and Ahnan, his cousin and faithful disciple as well. They three statues display a picture of Sakyamuni walking on the way to expounding the texts of Buddhism.

Fengxian Temple

Built in Tang Dynasty, Fengxian Temple is considered to be the largest grotto in Longmen Grottoes with a height of 41 meters and a length of 36 meters. Covering one Buddha, two disciples, two Bodhisattvas, two Heavenly King, and two Guardians, the temple was built in accordance with the Buddhist rite and principles.

The main figure is the statue of Vairocana Buddha sitting on the eight-square lotus throne with mellow and full face, bright piercing eyes and solemn expression. The statue is 17.14 meters high in total with four meters high head and 1.9 meters long ears. Moreover, other figures hold different gestures and facial expression that reveals their positions and duties in Buddhism.

Besides, there still are some must-seeing highlights including Guyang Cave, Xiangshan Temple, Bai Garden and Prescription Cave. Longmen Grottoes reveals excellent artistic creativity, marvelous carving skills and the development of Buddhism in China and play a significant role in the cultural evolution of this region of Asia.