Maijishan Grotto 9

CHINA, Gansu, Tianshui

Also known as Seven Buddha Pavilion, this grotto is located on the east side of the east cliff. It was excavated during the Northern Zhou dynasty (557–581) and was constructed to resemble a wooden structure. According to the Collected Writings of Yu Zishan dated from the Northern Zhou dynasty, the Commander-in-Chief, Li Yunxin, was said to have erected a plank pathway across the face of the cliff and constructed seven Buddha niches on the south cliff in memory of his late father. The niches in Grotto 9 may be the ones erected by Li Yunxin, but it is not certain since Maijishan Grotto 4 is also known as the Seven Buddha Pavilion.
The grotto retains its Northern Zhou characteristics, though the portico’s damaged eaves were restored between 1840 and 1919. The portico, 20 m in length, has a circular arch ceiling. Seven large niches are cut into the portico’s facade. Decorated with sandalwood, the sides of the niche lintels portray two dragons or two elephants with either beads or a jade pendant in their mouths. Beneath the lintels are lotus petals or triangular fringes. A Dharma protecting deity armed with a weapon stands guard on each side of the niches. With the exception of Niche 4, which has a seated Buddha flanked by two disciples, each niche has a standing Bodhisattva next to a seated Buddha. The figures were restored in the Song (960–1279), Ming (1368–1644), and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties.
The murals on the ceilings are from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Wish-fulfilling jewels are portrayed on the ceilings of Niches 1, 3, 5, and 7. The ceilings of Niches 2 and 6 depict garudas. The ceiling mural of Niche 4 contains a garuda, a kalavinka, and a lotus-born child. In Niche 3, the Buddha’s robe extends over the throne, and the lintel’s colorful paintings are still recognizable. In addition, there are traces of inscriptions from the Northern Dynasties (386–581) on the west wall.