Dafo Temple Caves

CHINA, Shaanxi, Binxian

Situated on Qingliangshan (Cool Mountain), these caves are the largest in Shaanxi province. The site was originally known as Yingfu (Comply with Merits) Temple. Emperor Renzong (reigned 1022–1063) of the Northern Song dynasty later changed the name to Qingshou (Celebration of Longevity) Temple during a birthday celebration for his foster mother, Empress Dowager Liu. They are now known as Dafo (Great Buddha) Temple Caves due to the large Amitabha Buddha carving in the main cave. The original carvings and construction at the site took place from the Northern Dynasties period (386–581) until the Tang dynasty (618–907), although the majority of extant carvings date to the Tang dynasty. The caves are divided into three areas: Qianfo (Thousand Buddhas) Caves in the southeast, Dafo Cave in the center, and Arhat Caves in the southwest. Currently there are 361 caves and niches at the site, and 1,498 preserved statues that were re-sculpted or redecorated throughout the Song (960–1279), Jin (1115–1234), and Yuan (1271–1368) dynasties. The site also houses eight steles, 178 inscriptions dated after the Tang dynasty, and engravings of the Heart Sutra and the Sutra on Monks Washing in the Bath House. The Dafo Temple Caves were listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 1988.
The Dafo Cave, also known as Dafo Temple Cave 1, was originally a natural cave which was later expanded and carved. The cave derives its name from the 24 m high seated Amitabha Buddha statue on the back wall. This cave is the oldest, largest, and best-preserved cave at the site, as well as being considered China’s largest and most exquisite cave from the rule of Emperor Taizong (reigned 626–649). The semicircular cave has a vaulted ceiling and measures 34.5 m in width, 31 m in height, and 18 m in depth. A brick and wood three-story tower, measuring more than 50 m high can be found in front of the cave entrance. There is a total of 70 niches and 1,001 figures in the cave. The Amitabha Buddha Triad, featuring Amitabha flanked by Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas, is located in the center of the back wall. These figures strongly exhibit the stylistic characteristics of Early Tang period (618–712) Buddhist art. The cave also contains four closely-spaced Buddha niches on each wall, and in total, approximately 400 large and small statues.
The Qianfo Caves can be found to the southeast. It consists of three caves that were constructed around the same time as the Arhat Caves. The central cave is square, and the other two are rectangular. The caves primarily contain niches carved with a life-size Buddha and two Bodhisattvas, as well as sutra illustrations. The shape of the statues are particularly elegant, a characteristic of art from the time of Empress Wu Zetian (reigned 684–705). The walls are carved with over 300 reliefs of various figures and sutra illustaions. They also contain the most number of inscriptions.
A group of four small caves known as the Arhat Caves are located to the southwest. These were carved around the time of the rule of Emperor Gaozong (reigned 649–683). Three of the caves contain over 60 reliefs of sutra illustrations and other sculptures. There are also many visitor inscriptions preserved on tablets from the Tang and Song dynasties.