Yungang Grotto 6: Life of the Buddha - Asita’s Prophecy
Stone
Yungang Grotto 6: Life of the Buddha - Four Encounters
Yungang Grotto 6: Life of the Buddha - Great Departure
Yungang Grotto 6: Life of the Buddha
CHINA, Shanxi, Datong; Northern Wei dynasty
Carvings located on the lower portions of the front (south), east, and west walls, as well as to the sides of the lower niches on the central pillar, illustrate stories from the Life of the Buddha. A total of 33 illustrations are sculpted, and those which remain intact include the Birth of Prince Siddhartha, Bathing of the Prince by Nine Nagas, Baby Prince’s Arrival at the Palace, Asita’s Prophecy, Archery Competition, Palace Life, Four Encounters, Bidding Farewell to Princess Yasodhara, Great Departure, Ascetic Practice, Defeat of Mara and Enlightenment, and the First Turning of the Dharma Wheel. These illustrations are a typical example of the skillful narrative carvings in early Chinese cave temples.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z, page 1665.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z},
pages = 1665,
title = {{Yungang Grotto 6: Life of the Buddha}},
volume = 9,
year = {2016}}