Xumishan Grotto 45: Buddha Triad
Stone
Xumishan Grotto 45: Buddha Triad
CHINA, Ningxia, Guyuan; Northern Zhou dynasty
Grotto 45 was excavated during the Northern Zhou dynasty (557–581) and is paired with Grotto 46. Statues of a Buddha along with two Bodhisattvas are set into the front niche of the central pillar. The Buddha has a flat usnisa and wears a monastic robe covering strong shoulders. The Buddha is seated in full lotus position, and one of the hands forms the dhyana (meditation) mudra. The Bodhisattvas on each side wear headdresses, necklaces, and beaded ornaments that hang over both shoulders.
A relief of a pleated drape decorated with lotus petals, jewels, and other ornaments carved onto the lintel of the niche. The base of the pillar is carved with a mountain censer at the center and four apsaras on each side. These severely weathered apsaras hold drums, flutes, a harp, pipa, panpipe, and reed instrument.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z, page 1531.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z},
pages = 1531,
title = {{Xumishan Grotto 45: Buddha Triad}},
volume = 9,
year = {2016}}