Meishan Xianrendong Rock Carvings

CHINA, Sichuan, Meishan

The Meishan Xianrendong Rock Carvings are located to the west of Shuike village. This series of carvings has a total of 75 niches that house 566 sculptures. The niches are scattered along a cliff that measures 127 m long and 47 m high. The carvings are also known as the Zhangliuyuan Cliff Carvings, named after the tallest statue, which stands approximately 5 m high. The site at one time had a temple that was destroyed in 1985. Based upon the dating of two inscriptions, the grottoes are believed to have been first excavated in the Tang dynasty (618–907). The severely damaged large Buddha, seated with legs pendent in the center of the niche, was at one time the most striking feature of the carvings. The best preserved sculptures are contained in Niches 6, 7, and 74. The 1.2 m wide and 2 m high domed Niche 6 contains an image of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, standing barefoot on a lotus pedestal. The Bodhisattva has a double-layered nimbus and mandorla. The figure wears a loose-fitting monastic robe over an inner robe carved with smooth and thick lines. The Bodhisattva’s left hand is held at the waist and the right hand, lowered at the side, holds a wish-fulfilling jewel.
In Niche 7 is a statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, sculpted at the same time as the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, perhaps by the same sculptor. Niche 74 is a double niche that contains statues of a Buddha, two disciples, and two Bodhisattvas, as well as two warriors who guard the entrance. The Buddhas are portrayed with loose-fitting monastic robes and seated in lotus position on thrones. Their right hands form the bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra, while their left hands form the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra. At the bottom edge of the niche are three small lotus-shaped niches, sculpted with heavenly musicians in the center.