Shizhongshan Grottoes

CHINA, Yunnan, Dali

Located at Shizhongshan (Stone Bell Mountain) approximately 25 km southwest of Jianchuan county in Dali, these grottoes represent the largest and oldest cluster in Yunnan. Rich in content with exquisite sculptures, they are highly regarded among the grottoes in southwest China. The grottoes were constructed during the years of the Nanzhao (752–902) and Dali (937–1253) Kingdoms. Currently, 16 grottoes remain and can be found in three areas: 8 niches at Shizhong Temple, 8 on Lion’s Pass. and 5 by the Sand Valley. They contain 139 sculptures of various sizes. The grotto niches generally come in three types. The first of these is the shrine niche, the outside of which is covered by eaves designed to imitate a wooden structure. A main statue accompanied by attendants is found on the back wall. The second type is the shallow arched niche: single sculptures, or main statues accompanied by attendants, are located inside such niches. The last niche type is the cliffside sculpture, which is characterized by line engravings. The relative shallowness of this niche is a common characteristic of grotto design in this region. The Shizhongshan Grottoes were listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 1961.
Buddhism was widely propagated in Yunnan during the years of the Nanzhao Kingdom, having been introduced via India, Myanmar, Tibet, and the Central Plain of China. The Achili branch of Vajrayana Buddhism was especially popular in this region, and the sculptures focus primarily on figures such as Vairocana Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Vaisravana, Mahakala, and Wisdom Kings. Niche 6, for example, contains a Buddha with two disciples, in addition to eight Wisdom Kings. These figures are exquisitely sculpted and are considered great examples of Yunnan sculpture. Avalokitesvara is highly respected by the Achili branch. Ajaya Avalokitesvara in Niche 13 has characteristics typical of Avalokitesvara sculptures in this tradition.
The Benzu tradition comprises a folk belief among the people of the Bai tribe of the Dali region. They worship natural gods, folk heroes, Daoist figures, and so forth. These beliefs intermixed with Vajrayana Buddhism to give rise to a unique local tradition. Niches 1, 2, and 9 contain sculptures of the Nanzhao kings Yimouxun (reigned 779–808), Geluofeng (reigned 748–779), and Xinuluo (reigned 649–647). These historical figures were revered as idols because of their contributions to the Nanzhao Kingdom. Vaisravana and Mahakala are also found among the figures of the Benzu tradition; they are represented in Niches 6 and 15. Both the Achili branch and Benzu tradition have unique aspects, and these grottoes are a valuable resource for studying the religion, history, culture, and art of the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms.
The older grottoes are simpler in their content, sculpting techniques, composition, and niche design than those carved in the later periods. During the Dali period, sculpture was influenced by the Nanzhao style, but progress in sculpting techniques eventually resulted in changes to sculptural design and the inclusion of more complex religious depictions. The creation and evolution of art styles was a result of cultural exchanges between the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms and the Central Plain, the Tibetan Empire, and other neighboring states.