Pujiang Kandengshan Great Buddha Cave

CHINA, Sichuan, Chengdu

This Great Buddha Cave is located on Kandengshan and, according to the Mingshan County Gazetteer, was excavated by Lu Gongshu between 860 and 874 during the Tang dynasty. There are 13 caves and niches and 285 sculptures distributed along the red sandstone cliffs of Kandengshan. The Great Buddha Cave is the largest, measuring 4.6 m in width, 4.8 m in height and 2.45 m in depth. It contains 138 statues, with the main statues being a Buddha, two Bodhisattvas, two disciples, and reliefs of the Eight Classes of Dharma Protectors.
The main Buddha statue sits in full lotus position on a Sumeru throne with a circular nimbus and measures 3.1 m high. The palms are joined, and a loose monastic robe adorns the body. Two Bodhisattvas and two disciples flank the Buddha, and low reliefs of the Eight Classes of Dharma Protectors are sculpted on the back wall. A warrior with a ferocious glare can be found on each side of the entrance. Their upper bodies are uncovered, and their intricate garments float in the air behind them.