Honggu Temple Thousand Buddha Cave

CHINA, Henan, Anyang

This cave is located in the center of the north side of Beishan (North Mountain), approximately 15 km south of Linzhou. The cave, which has a rectangular plan and an arched doorway, was excavated in 574 during the Northern Qi dynasty. There are three small niches above the doorway: the center niche contains a Buddha Pentad, while the niches on either side contain a single Buddha seated in full lotus position.
Inside the cave are carvings of a seated Buddha, two disciples, and two Bodhisattvas. The Buddha and disciples were carved during the Northern Qi dynasty (550–577), whereas the two Bodhisattvas were added during the Tang dynasty (618–907). This is evident in the different sculptural styles of the carvings. The 2.78 m high seated Buddha is located on the back wall, facing south and sitting in full lotus position on a lotus throne. The Buddha is depicted wearing inner and outer monastic robes; unfortunately, the head has been damaged. Flanking the Buddha are two disciples, also with damaged heads. The two Bodhisattvas are carved on the two side walls. They wear long necklaces, stoles, and chest ornaments.
The remaining parts of the walls are covered with engravings of over a hundred Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of various sizes. The upper left side of the west wall also contains an engraving of the Diamond Sutra, while the upper right side of the east wall shows two sections of the Lotus Sutra. Fifteen statues are located on the west wall outside the cave, while the east cliff wall is inscribed with the Verse Praising the Merits of the Buddha in five rows. Inscriptions dating from the Eastern Wei dynasty (534–550), 731 during the Tang dynasty, and 1182 during the Jin dynasty are carved in various parts of the cave.