Longmen Grotto 1181

CHINA, Henan, Luoyang

Grotto 1181, or Weizi Grotto, is located on the west bank of the Yi River and faces east. The grotto was excavated prior to 523 during the Northern Wei dynasty. Most of the inscriptions within it date to between 520 and 527. The grotto has an apsidal layout and is 5.7 m in width, 4.3 m in height, and 4.35 m in depth. At its entrance, there are two warriors with extensive deterioration.
The center of the grotto’s ceiling displays a lotus flower relief, with four layers of petals and a central seed head. The lotus is surrounded by apsaras, honeysuckle pattern, and clouds. A low altar against the grotto’s back (west) wall supports a Buddha, two disciples, and two Bodhisattvas. The Buddha is seated in full lotus position and has a nimbus and a mandorla. A loose monastic robe drapes over an inner robe tied at the waist with a sash. The Buddha’s right hand is damaged, while the left hand forms the varada (wish-granting) mudra. The flanking disciples wear similar monastic robes and stand barefoot on lotus pedestals. To the right of the Buddha, the disciple Mahakasyapa stands with the left hand hanging naturally at the side, while the right hand is held before the chest. On the left side, the disciple Ananda holds an object before the chest with both hands. Both Bodhisattvas wear stoles over their shoulders, which intersect at the abdomen, and long dhotis tied at the waist. Each Bodhisattva rests one hand at their side while the other holds a Dharma instrument. The Bodhisattvas wear adornments and stand barefoot on lotus pedestals. The heads of both the disciples and Bodhisattvas are damaged.
In the center of the north and south walls are large niches that house a Buddha, two disciples and two Bodhisattvas. Around the large trapezoidal niches, there are smaller niches. Decorating the large north niche, 2.37 m in width, 2.98 m in height, and 0.77 m in depth, are numerous images that include the Seven Buddhas of the Past, apsaras, cross-ankled Bodhisattvas, Bodhisattvas in contemplation, and the Buddha’s Parinirvana. Images of Vimalakirti and Manjusri from the Vimalakirti Sutra are depicted on either side of the lintel. The Buddha is seated in full lotus position within the niche. The flanking disciples wear monastic robes, each with one arm at the side and the other held before the chest. The two Bodhisattvas wear draped stoles and long dhotis. Their hands are folded neatly at the abdomen. Nineteen small niches surround the larger niche on the north wall.
The large niche on the south wall measures 2.43 m in width, 2.99 m in height, and 0.78 m in depth. Parts of the niche ceiling and walls are damaged. Warriors flank the entrance to the niche, which houses two disciples, and two Bodhisattvas, in addition to the Buddha. Eighteen individual small niches surround the larger one on the south wall, while seventeen small niches adorn the front (east) wall. On the back wall, eleven individual niches, most of which have vaulted ceilings, house Buddha pentads. The majority of these were carved in later periods and house either triads of a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas or Buddha pentads. A few of the small niches were left incomplete.