Guangyuan Thousand Buddha Cliff Rock Carvings Cave 746

CHINA, Sichuan, Guangyuan

This cave is located in the southern section of the Thousand Buddha Cliff. Oblong in shape with a flat ceiling, it measures 3.24 m in width, 2 m in height, and 2.73 m in depth. There is an inscription on the right wall of the cave dating to the year 1138.
The central altar is carved with a reclining Buddha and attending Bodhisattvas, all of which have been damaged. Two sala trees and the Eight Classes of Dharma Protectors are depicted on the back screen behind these figures. All three walls of the cave were originally carved with low reliefs of scenes from the Mahaparinirvana Sutra, but the south wall was destroyed during a later restoration. The reliefs still exist on the back (east) and north walls, and depict scenes including cremation, six female devotees hearing about the Buddha’s parinirvana, the Queen Maya and the disciples in mourning.
The illustration of cremation consists of a golden casket covered with curved lines representing fire, with nine hooded figures below it. The figures either recline or sit among mountain rocks. The carving depicting six female devotees hearing about the Buddha’s parinirvana is also set among mountain ranges. The disciples have their hair tied in topknots and wear long robes. The mountains, water, trees, and human figures in this illustration are artfully depicted, resembling Dunhuang murals created during the same time period.