Limingwo Rock Carvings

CHINA, Shandong, Tai’an

The Limingwo Rock Carvings are located in the southern foot of the west peak of Liugongshan (Six Worker Mountain). The site of the Amitabha Hall at Jianfu Temple from the Tang dynasty (618–907) is situated at the foot of the mountain. These rock carvings are located behind the temple. The cliffside featuring these rock carvings is approximately 12 m in width and 2.2 m in height. There are eight large niches and two small auxiliary niches, for a total of 47 sculptures and 18 inscriptions that are well preserved. The rock carvings have been listed as a Provincial Cultural Heritage Site.
Among the eight large niches, the 6.84 m wide, 1.98 m high, and 0.28 m deep Niche 1 is of particular interest. The niche opening is shaped as a horizontal rectangle, above which is a richly decorated valence carving. Inside, a row of seven Buddhas sit in either full lotus position, half lotus position, or with legs pendent. The Buddhas wear monastic robes that cover either the right or both shoulders. Most of the figures’ heads have been destroyed over time; the majority of the hands, which once formed various mudras, are also missing. The niche sculptures were completed in stages beginning from the left. Starting from the left there is an inscription dated to the year 703 during the rule of Empress Wu Zetian (reigned 690–705). The inscription states that Jiang Fei, sister of the nun Wang Bayuan, commissioned an Amitabha statue. Between the second and third statues an inscription reads, “Amitabha Hall,” and beneath the throne of the third statue another inscription reads, “Wang Bayuan, the major commissioner.” Further inscription dated to 720 is located between the fourth and fifth statues, and the seventh statue’s inscription is dated to 873.