Gongxian Cave 5

CHINA, Henan, Zhengzhou

Located to the right of Cave 4 in the eastern section of the site, this cave was excavated during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534). The 2 m high north-facing entrance is preserved in an almost complete form. The interior of the cave is rectangular, measuring 3.2 m wide, 3 m deep, and 3 m high.
The lintel above the doorway is carved with scroll leaves and dragon heads. A warrior stands on each side of the doorway. Inside the cave, a large lotus surrounded by six apsaras is located in the center of the ceiling. The four corners contain lotus-born beings. The decorative patterns on the floor correspond with those on the ceiling.
There are large niches containing a Buddha, two disciples, and two Bodhisattvas on the back (north), east, and west walls. Draperies are carved above the niche on the back wall. The main Buddha statue on the back wall sits in full lotus position on a raised throne with two lions carved on the front. A small, squatting warrior holds up the column on each side of the niche. Five small niches carved into the lintel and four small niches on the back wall inside the main niche were added at a later date.
Originally, there were five sculptures on the east wall, but the figures on the left side is badly deteriorated, leaving only Maitreya and a Bodhisattva and a disciple on the right remaining. The upper section on the right side of the niche lintel is carved with apsaras, while the lower section has depictions of lotus-born beings and warriors.
The layout of the west wall is similar to that of the east, except that the main statue on the west wall is a Buddha sitting in full lotus position, and the niche lintel is embellished with a flame pattern. Two monks flank the seated Buddha; an inscription states that that the monk on the left is Huixing and the monk on the right is Huihao.