Gongxian Cave 4

CHINA, Henan, Zhengzhou

This cave was excavated during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534). It is located in the eastern section of the Gongxian Caves site, just to the east of Cave 3. These two caves share a similar layout and features, including the Thousand Buddhas covering the back (north), east, and west walls. The interior of Cave 4 measures 4.5 m to 4.8 m wide and 4.5 m high. The entrance consists of an arched doorway, which has been repaired. The remains of a warrior statue can be found to the right of the doorway, just outside the cave.
Two tiers of niches are carved into each side of the central pillar. Around the very top of the pillar are bas-relief carvings of lotus-born beings, drapery, and little bells. The ceiling and both sides of the upper niches are embellished with curtains. Buddha pentads are located inside the niches, with the exception of the niche on the south side, which contains Maitreya Bodhisattva as the central figure. Carvings of various deities can be found around the base of the pillar.
The upper sections of the cave walls are decorated with similar designs as those on the top of the central pillar, including lotus-born beings and drapery. The middle sections of the back, east, and west walls are covered with 16 rows of the Thousand Buddha motif in bas-relief. A niche containing a Buddha, two disciples, and two Bodhisattvas is in the center of the side wall, and a niche with a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas is on the back wall. There are bas-reliefs of deities on the bottom section of the east wall, while on the west and back walls there are bas-reliefs of heavenly musicians.
A niche housing a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas, flanked by two smaller niches containing a seated Buddha, can be found above the doorway on the front (south) wall. Four rows of the Thousand Buddha motif are depicted on the upper section of the front wall. Below these are four rows of figures paying respect to the Buddha on the right side, and two rows of similar figures on the left. A mural featuring red-faced figures wearing long skirts and making offerings is found below the figures on the right side; a similar mural on the left has been badly damaged, leaving only an indistinct figure remaining. Carvings of animal-headed figures are located on the bottom of the walls on either side of the entrance.
The ceiling in this cave is completely preserved, but the decorative patterns on the floor, meant to correspond to those on the ceiling, are indistinct.