Guangyuan Thousand Buddha Cliff Rock Carvings Cave 512

CHINA, Sichuan, Guangyuan

Located in the middle tier of the southern section, this cave is among the largest at the site. It has a flat ceiling and measures 5.6 m wide, 3.8 m high, and 10.6 m deep. The west wall outside the cave is engraved with an inscription reading: “Commissioned by Wei Kang, Chief Commander in Yizhou (present day Chengdu, Sichuan).”
Within the cave, a 2.38 m high Maitreya Buddha stands on a lotus pedestal atop a central altar connected to the back wall. Behind the head of the Buddha is a two-layered nimbus decorated with a floral pattern on the inner layer and a flame pattern on the outer layer. A rounded tree resembling a canopy rises above the figure to the cave ceiling. This represents the dragon flower tree under which Maitreya will attain enlightenment. The aureole encircling the Buddha bears an inscription engraved in the year 715. On the back wall behind Maitreya, there are two niches containing a Buddha, two disciples, and two Bodhisattvas.
The side walls of the cave are each sculpted with four to five rows of Bodhisattva figures, all standing on lotus pedestals. The niche entrance has a warrior on each side; outside the niche on either side of the entrance are Heavenly Kings and Bodhisattvas making offerings.