Dapishan Thousand Buddha Caves

CHINA, Henan, Junxian

The Thousand Buddha Caves lie on the southern summit of Fuqiushan (Floating Mountain), 500 m away from Dapishan (Great Back Mountain). The site comprises two caves and 76 niches. All together, they house more than 960 sculptures, and is thus named the Thousand Buddha Caves. Additionally, there are more than 300 inscriptions from past dynasties. According to the inscriptions, Cave 1 was excavated from 680 to 683 during the Tang dynasty, while Cave 2 was excavated between 692 and 737. They were listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2001.
Cave 1 is in the southern section of the west cliff. The cave has a schemed arch, a rounded square layout, and a vaulted ceiling. There are sets of one Buddha, two disciples, and two Bodhisattvas on the back (east), north and south walls. Amitabha Buddha, accompanied by 52 Bodhisattvas, can be found on the north wall.
Cave 2 is located to the north of Cave 1. The entrance is damaged, and forms an irregular arch. The cave chamber is square in layout, and there are square platforms in front of the back (east), north and south walls. Statues of one Buddha, two disciples, two Bodhisattvas, and two warriors rest on each platform. Additionally, on the back wall is a set of one Buddha and two disciples, while the north and south walls each have a Bodhisattva and a disciple. The main Buddha on the back wall has a damaged upper body. Sitting in full lotus position, the Buddha has a mandorla decorated with a flame pattern. Only the warriors on the south wall in good condition. Smaller sculptures are distributed among 44 niches of differing sizes. Additionally, the cave contains five inscriptions. The cliff outside the two caves is covered with niche sculptures of varying sizes, including depictions of Manjusri riding a lion and Samantabhadra riding an elephant.