Yungang Grotto 8

CHINA, Shanxi, Datong

Located in the central area, this grotto was constructed during the early Northern Wei dynasty under the rule of Emperor Xiaowen (reigned 471–499). It is a twin to Grotto 7 and is believed to be the first of the twin grottoes constructed at Yungang. The two grottoes are very similar in layout, consisting of a front chamber and a rear chamber connected by an arched doorway and upper window.
The front chamber measures 9 m in width, 16 m in height, and 7.6 m in depth. The majority of the sculptures in this chamber have suffered severe weathering and are no longer discernible. A few remaining images on the east wall depict figures making offerings, illustrations of scenes from the Life of the Buddha, and Jataka tales. An arched doorway leading to Grotto 7 is found on the left side of the east wall. The carvings on the west wall include images of Buddhas and figures making offerings. An arched doorway and a window above it are constructed on the back (north) wall.
The inner walls of the arched doorway feature a three-headed, eight-armed Mahesvara on the east wall, and a five-headed, six-armed Kumaraka on the west wall. The ceiling of the doorway is carved with a lotus encircled by four apsaras.
The rear chamber is 9 m wide, 12.8 m high and 5.4 m deep. The back wall is carved with two large niches which have been severely weathered. The niche on the upper tier is trapezoidal in shape, and the lintel is decorated with gandharvas and kinnaras. Within the niche are sculptures of a Buddha seated with legs pendent, flanked by Bodhisattvas sitting with legs crossed at the ankles. On the bottom right of the niche is a relief of the Skills Contest from the Life of the Buddha. The carvings within the niche on the lower tier are no longer discernible.
The lower sections of the east, west, and front walls were originally carved with figures making offerings, but these have since worn away. The remainder of each wall is carved in the same style as Grotto 7, consisting of four tiers of niches which primarily contain seated Buddhas. The niche on the bottom right side of the east wall is surrounded by sculptures illustrating Defeat of Mara and Enlightenment, while both niches on the second tier feature Heavenly Kings carrying alms bowls. The other niches are almost identical in content and layout to those in Grotto 7.