Dapishan Thousand Buddha Cave 1

CHINA, Henan, Junxian

Thousand Buddha Cave 1 is located on the southern section of the west cliff of Fuquishan (Floating Mountain), near Dapishan (Great Back Mountain). According to an inscription within the cave, it was excavated between 680 and 683 of the Tang dynasty. The cave features a schemed arch, vaulted ceiling, and rounded square layout. It measures 3.5 m wide, 2.54 m high, and 3.14 m deep. Carved into the back (east), north, and south walls of the cave are a Buddha, two disciples, and two Bodhisattvas; unfortunately, the heads and hands of the majority of these statues are either missing or damaged. Each Buddha on the back and south walls is garbed in a monastic robe with long, loose sleeves, covering both shoulders. Behind the Buddhas are petal-shaped mandorlas, decorated with three apsaras and seven seated Buddhas, each upon a lotus throne.
The head of the main Buddha on the north wall was restored, and the statue is considerably better preserved than the others in the niche. The Buddha wears a sheer, tight-fitting monastic robe that covers both shoulders. The folds of the robe hang down the chest in a U-shaped formation. The Buddha sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne. Inside the mandorla behind the Buddha are 52 small Bodhisattvas, each of whom sits on a lotus throne attached to a stem. Additionally, there are an array of disciples and other Bodhisattvas surrounding the area, each standing or sitting in a unique posture. In total, the cave contains more than 890 niches of different sizes, as well as eight inscriptions.