Guangyuan Thousand Buddha Cliff Rock Carvings Cave 726: Buddha Triad

CHINA, Sichuan, Guangyuan; Northern Wei dynasty

Located in the lower tier of the southern section of the Thousand Buddha Cliff, this cave was constructed during the late Northern Wei dynasty (386–534). This apsidal cave has a vaulted ceiling and measures 5.7 m wide, 5.5 m high, and 4.9 m deep. The original sculptures consist of a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas. During the Tang dynasty (618–907), two niches containing images of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva were carved from the back wall above the main statue. The remainder of the back wall has 72 small niches containing a total of 127 small sculptures, added during different periods.
The main statue on the back wall is severely weathered, as is the Bodhisattva on the north side; the Bodhisattva on the south side is relatively well-preserved. This Bodhisattva stands barefoot on a lotus pedestal, wearing a draped garment, stoles, and a long necklace. The Bodhisattva has a squared face with a prominent nose and hair tied in two topknots. One hand holds a lotus at shoulder height, and the other hand is damaged.