Changma Caves

CHINA, Gansu, Yumen

Construction of the Changma Caves began during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534) with repairs and alterations done during the Five Dynasties (907–960) and Song dynasty (960–1279). The cave site can be divided into two areas: the dam and the pit. Within the dam, the sculptures and murals have all been destroyed and the empty caves are all that remain. There are 11 niches in the pit area which still contain sculptures and murals, in addition to Caves 2 and 4 which are in better shape. The Changma Caves were listed as a Provincial Cultural Heritage Site in 1981.
Cave 2 is a rectangular central pillar cave, with two niches on each side of the pillar. Each of the niches originally contained a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas, but they no longer exist. The original murals have also been destroyed; those of which remain were painted later during the Western Xia period (1032–1227). Seated Bodhisattvas can be found above the entrance to the cave. Murals of Manjusri Bodhisattva riding a lion and Samantabadhra Bodhisattva riding an elephant, both followed by a retinue of heavenly beings making offerings, are seen on either side of the doorway. The east side of the central pillar has a depiction of the Seven Buddhas of the Past. In addition, there are 12 life-sized Bodhisattva images inside the cave, painted along the corridor, on two sides of the central pillar, and on the back wall. The Bodhisattvas either hold offerings or form the anjali (reverence) mudra. Apsaras are painted above them. Murals and sutra illustrations, though no longer decipherable, are on the north and south walls. The interior layout of Cave 4 is similar to that of Cave 2; however, most of the sculptures have not survived. Twenty Bodhisattva images are painted on the four walls of the cave, each measuring 2 m in height. Between each figure are winding lotuses. Apsaras and circular floral patterns can be seen on the ceiling of the cave.