Longmen Grotto 1443: Niche

CHINA, Henan, Luoyang; Northern Wei dynasty

This niche, the second from the left on the upper tier of the south wall, was commissioned by the monk Fasheng to pray for Emperor Xiaowen (reigned 471–499) of the Northern Wei dynasty, as well as Yuan Xiang, the Prince of Beihai, and his mother. The niche’s ogee arched lintel displays images of five seated Buddhas with a Bodhisattva between each Buddha. On each side of the niche a dragon head is placed above an octagonal column with a lotus base.
A Buddha and two Bodhisattvas are found within the niche. Seated in full lotus position, the Buddha wears a robe that crosses the left shoulder. His hands form the dhyana (meditation) mudra. The Buddha’s nimbus consists of four layers embellished with Buddha images and lotus petals. The mandorla, framed by a flame pattern, is also decorated with Buddha images. Apsaras are depicted flying on the upper wall of the niche.
The bottom edge of the niche contains honeysuckle patterns. A cartouche in the center of the bottom edge identifies the names of the donors who are portrayed in rows next to it. Of the three monks on the right side, the first name is no longer legible, the second is the monk Sengdao, and the third is the monk Senglong. Yuan Xiang, followed by Yuan Shanyi, Yuan Baoyi, and their attendants are behind them. On the left, there are three nuns; two are identified as Minghui and Fazhen, while the name of the third is no longer legible. The nuns are followed by five noble women with five female attendants who carry parasols and fans. The inscription to the right of the niche is one of the Twenty Outstanding Inscriptions of the Longmen Grottoes.