Longmen Grottoes, located in the south of Luoyang City, China started around the year 493 after the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534) moved the capital to Luoyang. Thousands of Buddhas were carved into the rock slopes and cliffs aside the Yi River, and were carved for 400 years until The Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).

Stretching 1094 meters along the river, there are over 2,300 small caves and niches, with 100,000 statues of all sizes. Ancient writings and displays in the caves contain a wealth of historical materials concerning art, music, religion, calligraphy, medicine, period dress, and architecture.

In November 2000, Longmen Grottoes was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO...as you come up to the site, you walk through two huge arched ribs from the bridge above…into this other worldly experience. It truly is amazing. There is one cave there called the Wanfo Cave that was completed in 680AD in honour of Gaozong and his wife Wuzetian. She was the first woman Emperor in Chinese History, and this cave was planned by two women…most unusual. It has, among other things, over 15,000 sitting Buddha’s engraved on the walls.

Written by  Donna Dawson.

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Longmen Grottoes

Some of the larger-than-life stone carvings and inscriptions of the Longmen Grottoes were created as early as the 5th century. At the initial request of Emperor Xiaowen, hundreds of artists painstakingly chiseled signs of their commitment into the rocky walls, devoted to venerating Buddha. Over the centuries, they produced thousands of statues, caves, dagobas, and more. The Fengxian Temple, in the biggest grotto, is particularly well-know for the statue of Vairocana Buddha. He is almost 60 feet tall, even while sitting cross-legged.

 

Review posted 20th November 2007 by Sarah Clise.

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