Yungang Grotto 12: Buddha Niche
Stone
Yungang Grotto 12: Buddha Niche
CHINA, Shanxi, Datong; Northern Wei dynasty
The niche is located in the middle tier of the west wall within the front chamber. It depicts details such as imitation roof tiles, bracket sets, beams, and garudas on top of the roof. The lintel contains images of apsaras holding long, beaded necklaces. The niche itself is divided into three bays.
The figure in the central bay is Maitreya Buddha, seated with legs crossed at the ankles on a lion throne and forming the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra with one hand. Maitreya has a high usnisa, a rounded face, and a tranquil expression. Behind the Buddha is a rounded mandorla decorated with flame patterns. The other two bays contain seated Buddhas with legs pendent, while at the far ends are standing Bodhisattvas. There were originally warrior figures located below the niche columns, but they are now damaged. The bottom of the niche is decorated with lotus patterns.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z, page 1709.
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 = 1709,
title = {{Yungang Grotto 12: Buddha Niche}},
volume = 9,
year = {2016}}