Yungang Grotto 5: Niche Sculptures

CHINA, Shanxi, Datong; Northern Wei dynasty

These carvings are located on the side walls of the window on the front (south) wall. The upper section of the east side is carved with two rows of arch-shaped niches, each housing a seated Buddha figure and a cross-legged Maitreya Bodhisattva. The middle section contains the Thousand Buddhas, each figure seated with hands in the dhyana (meditation) mudra. In the center of the Thousand Buddhas, an arch-shaped niche contains carvings of Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Buddhas. Both Buddha figures have round faces and wear monastic robes covering the left shoulder. They sit cross-legged with one hand forming the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra and the other resting on the knee.
The layout on the west wall is similar to that of the east, with the exception of a mountain censer and rows of figures making offerings in the bottom section.