Longmen Grotto 543: Thousand Buddhas and Udayana Buddha

CHINA, Henan, Luoyang; Tang dynasty

The Thousand Buddhas and Udayana Buddha are carved on both the north and south walls within Grotto 543. There are 88 rows and 73 columns of neatly arranged Thousand Buddhas on the south wall. All of the Buddhas have similar features, wear double-collared robes, and sit in full lotus position. The hands display the dhyana (meditation) mudra. In the center of the wall, a statue of Udayana Buddha is housed in a square niche. Udayana Buddha is seated on a throne wearing a monastic robe, which bares the right shoulder. The head of the figure has badly deteriorated.
A narrow decorative band carved with six heavenly musicians is depicted below the Thousand Buddhas. They play instruments such as flutes, cymbals, lutes, and a zither, or dance with outstretched arms. Most of the figures sit cross-legged, with line engravings of stoles flying upward behind them. The heavenly dancer spins on one leg as if whirling around.