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Luoyang, Henan Province -- Page 3 The Longmen Caves and Grottoes Near Luoyang Longmen Caves, or the Dragon Gate Grottoes, are located 8 miles (13 kilometers) south of Luoyang. The rock carvings and cave temples of Longmen are among the finest works of religious art to be seen in China. When the Wei moved to Luoyang in 494 they chose the sandstone cliffs on either side of the Yi River at the site for a series of Buddhist temples grottoes, the successors to those at the previous capital, Datong. Work on the caves continued long after the dynasty had ended and 1,352 grottoes with over 100,000 Buddha images, 2,300 carved stone niches, 40 Buddhist pagodas, and 2,800 pieces of inscriptions engraved on stone walls or stone tablets were cut into the rock. Unfortunately, many of the sculptures - especially the heads - were stolen by 19th and 20th century tourists and now grace museums and private collections in Europe and America.Three Pingyang Caves The major caves are on the west bank of the river, with the three Pingyang Caves closest to the entrance. All were begun under the Wei, and although the northern and southern were finished by Sui and Tang Dynasty artisans, the statues in all three evince the other-worldliness so typical of Wei religious art. In the central cave, the best of the three, the facial expressions of Buddha and his acolytes are benevolent, almost saccharine. There are eleven large statues, and bas-reliefs cover the walls, roof, and even the floor. 10,000 Buddha Cave The next major temple, the Tang Dynasty 10,000 Buddha Cave , is several minutes' walk farther south. In addition to the legions of tiny Buddhas that give the cave its name, there is a fine big Buddha and noteworthy bas-reliefs of celestial musicians. |