North Xiangtangshan Grotto 3

CHINA, Hebei, Handan

Grotto 3 is also known as the South Grotto or the Grotto of the Sutra Engravings. It was constructed during the Northern Qi dynasty (550–577) with three archways on the exterior. The archways were repaired during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. A niche above the central archway consists of an inverted bowl decorated with plantain leaves and a flaming jewel at the top. The arched entrance to the grotto is framed with honeysuckle and beaded patterns. The lintel contains reliefs of apsaras offering jewels, and a warrior stand guard on each side of the entrance.
There are niches on the north, south, and back (east) walls inside the grotto. A central Buddha sits with two disciples and four Bodhisattvas inside the draped niche on the back wall. A Buddha with four disciples and two Bodhisattvas can be found in draped niches on the north and south walls. The Buddhas in these three niches wear robes with simple folds over strong physiques. The Thousand Buddha motif can be discerned above the carved drapery. Small altars stand before the three niches, and placed on top of them are a mountain censer and lions or figures making offerings, with heavenly musicians on both sides. The decorated ceiling of the grotto exhibits a large seeded lotus in the center surrounded by jewels and additional lotuses.
This grotto is famous for its sutra engraving. According to an inscription outside the grotto, the engraver named Tangyong worked on the Vimalakirti Sutra, Srimala Sutra, and the Sutra on Maitreya Attaining Buddhahood from 568 to 572. The engraved Sutra of Innumerable Meanings found in the grotto has a different calligraphic style compare to the others, and is believed to be from a different period. The sutra engraving has extended to the exterior facade due to the limited space inside the grotto.