Shihong Temple Caves

CHINA, Shaanxi, Yan’an

These caves are located in Yan’an, Shaanxi. Excavation began in the Sui dynasty (581–618) and continued through the Tang (618–907), Northern Song (960–1127), and Ming (1368–1644) dynasties. There are presently ten caves, with most of the statues preserved in Caves 1 to 5. Cave 6 is a Daoist cave from a later period. Caves 7 to 10 are empty. The caves were listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2006.
Cave 1 contains an inscription from the Sui dynasty. Caves 3 and 4 contain partial inscriptions from the Tang dynasty, and Cave 5 has a preserved inscription from 968 of the Northern Song dynasty. These four neighboring caves are similar in layout, each containing a central altar. On each altar is a relief of a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas, a Buddha and two disciples or two Bodhisattvas. There are seated Buddhas carved on the four walls of each cave.
Cave 2 is the main cave and is made up of an antechamber and a main chamber. The antechamber is connected to Cave 1. The main chamber is rectangular with an altar at the center. It measures 10.3 m wide, 5.4 m high, and 10.7 m deep. The statues in this chamber include a Buddha, two disciples, and two Bodhisattvas. The Buddha is seated in full lotus position on a lotus throne with monastic robes over both shoulders. The right hand touches the knee, and the left hand rests before the abdomen. The two disciples, Mahakasyapa and Ananda, flank the enthroned Buddha. Mahakasyapa appears as an elderly monk with stooped shoulders holding up both hands in greeting. Ananda, on the other hand, appears as a young monk. Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas also sit in full lotus position on lotus thrones located in niches on either side of the main Buddha statue. Manjusri’s throne has a lion and Samantabhadra’s an elephant. The two Bodhisattvas face one another.
The walls of this cave and the columns around the Buddha statue are covered with the Thousand Buddhas. In addition, various figures can be found among the other niches in this chamber, including Vairocana Buddha, Water-Moon Avalokitesvara, Manjusri, Samantabhadra, Avalokitesvara Rescuing People from the Eight Dangers, Sixteen Arhats, and Budai.