Yungang Grotto 11: Seated Buddha Niche
Stone
Yungang Grotto 11: Seated Buddha Niche
CHINA, Shanxi, Datong; Northern Wei dynasty
This arched niche is located on the west wall of the window. The lintel of the niche has a pointed top and depicts seven seated Buddhas, with six figures joining palms above them. Within the niche a Buddha is seated in the full lotus position. The Buddha has a high usnisa and a calm, compassionate expression. One hand forms the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra, while the other rests in the lap. The Buddha wears a loosely draped monastic robe with a crossed collar. On each side of the niche is a carving of a multi-story pagoda, with each story containing two small Buddha niches. The space beneath the niche is empty and probably reserved for inscriptions. To either side of this space are five male and five female donor figures.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z, page 1704.
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 = 1704,
title = {{Yungang Grotto 11: Seated Buddha Niche}},
volume = 9,
year = {2016}}