Longmen Grottoes (UNESCO/NHK)

UNESCO

5 Nov 201302:51

Summary

TLDRThe Longmen Grottoes, located near the ancient capital of Luoyang, are among China's three largest Buddhist sites. They feature over 100,000 statues carved across a 400-year span, beginning in 494 AD during the Northern Wei Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty saw a resurgence in carving, with the 17-meter-tall Virocana Buddha being a highlight. Despite historical significance, the grottoes face challenges like looting and natural decay. A conservation project supported by China, Japan, and UNESCO is underway to preserve this treasure of Buddhist art.

Takeaways

🗿 The Longmen Grottoes are one of the three largest grotto sites in China, featuring over one hundred thousand Buddha statues carved over a four hundred year period.
🗺️ The grottoes are located by the G Hay River, which runs through the suburbs of the ancient capital of Luoyang.
🗝️ The oldest grotto dates back to 494 AD during the Northern Wei dynasty, with the majority of the carvings taking place during the Tang Dynasty.
👑 The seated Buddha statue was commissioned by Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei dynasty, resembling his father and symbolizing the emperor's status as a reincarnation of Buddha.
📉 After the fall of the Northern Wei dynasty, grotto construction ceased until it resumed during the Tang Dynasty under Emperor Gaozong.
🏛️ Fengxian Hall, built in 675, houses the 17-meter high Virocana Buddha statue, believed to be funded by the Emperor's donation.
🎨 The statues of bodhisattvas, Buddha's disciples, and other figures around the Virocana Buddha are considered masterpieces of Buddhist art from the Tang Dynasty.
🏰 About 60% of the grottoes were constructed during the Tang period, showcasing the dynasty's significant contribution to the site.
🌟 The Pho Cave contains thousands of Buddha statues, some as small as less than 10 centimeters, indicating the intricate craftsmanship.
🕰️ The Longmen Grottoes were at their peak during the construction of the Pho Cave, but remained hidden for 1500 years until the 20th century.
🛠️ Dilapidation and water damage due to geological faults are ongoing issues at the site, with a conservation project supported by China, Japan, and UNESCO to address these challenges.

Q & A

What are the Longmen Grottoes and where are they located?
-The Longmen Grottoes are one of the three largest grotto sites in China, located on the cliffside of the G Hay River, running through the suburbs of the ancient capital of Luoyang.
When was the large Buddha statue inside the cave at Longmen Grottoes carved?
-The large Buddha statue inside the cave at Longmen Grottoes was carved in the seventh century during the Tang Dynasty.
How many Buddha statues were carved at the Longmen Grottoes over the centuries?
-Over a four hundred year period, more than one hundred thousand Buddha statues were carved at the Longmen Grottoes.
What is the significance of the year 494 in the history of the Longmen Grottoes?
-The year 494 marks the beginning of the Longmen Grottoes, with the oldest cave dating back to that time during the Northern Wei dynasty.
What do the inscriptions on the wall around each Buddha statue explain?
-The inscriptions on the wall around each Buddha statue explain why it was carved, mainly for individuals during the early period and later for state carvings.
Who commissioned the seated Buddha statue and what was its purpose?
-The seated Buddha statue was commissioned by Chuan Wu, the seventh Emperor of the Northern Wei dynasty, to resemble his father, as Buddhism was a national religion and the Emperor was regarded as a reincarnation of Buddha.
Why were there no new grottoes made after the fall of the Northern Wei dynasty?
-Hardly any new grottoes were made after the fall of the Northern Wei dynasty in the middle of the 6th century, as the practice declined with the dynasty's collapse.
When did grotto construction resume and who ordered the construction of Fengxi Nck?
-Grotto construction resumed during the Tang Dynasty, with Fengxi Nck being built in 675 on the order of Gaozong, the third emperor of the Tang Dynasty.
What is the height of the virocana Buddha statue in the main hall of Fengxi Nck?
-The virocana Buddha statue in the main hall of Fengxi Nck is 17 meters high.
Why are the statues around the central virocana figure in Fengxi Nck considered masterpieces?
-The statues of the bodhisattva, Buddha's disciples, and other divine figures around the central virocana figure in Fengxi Nck are considered great masterpieces of Buddhist art during the Tang Dynasty.
What percentage of the grottoes were made during the Tang period and what is special about the Pho Cave?
-About 60% of the grottoes were made during the Tang period. The Pho Cave is special as it contains thousands of carved Buddha statues, some of which are less than 10 centimeters high.
What challenges has the Longmen Grottoes site faced in recent years?
-In recent years, the Longmen Grottoes site has faced issues such as dilapidation, water coming out from cracks due to faults in the mountain rocks, and the decay of materials used for repairs, which is creating a new set of problems.
What is being done to address the conservation issues at the Longmen Grottoes?
-A conservation project is underway with the collaborative support of China, Japan, and UNESCO to address the conservation issues at the Longmen Grottoes.

Outlines

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🗿 Longmen Grottoes: A Buddhist Legacy

The Longmen Grottoes, located near the ancient capital of Luoyang, are one of China's largest Buddhist sculpture sites. The grottoes house over one hundred thousand statues, carved over four centuries, beginning from the Northern Wei dynasty in 494 AD. The most significant period of carving occurred during the Tang Dynasty, with the 17-meter-tall virocana Buddha statue being a prime example, believed to be commissioned by Emperor Gaozong with donations from Empress Wu. The grottoes also feature inscriptions that provide insights into the reasons behind the carvings and the historical context. Despite their historical significance, the Longmen Grottoes have faced issues of dilapidation and looting, with ongoing restoration efforts supported by China, Japan, and UNESCO.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Longmen Grottoes

The Longmen Grottoes are a series of large-scale, ancient Chinese Buddhist cave sculptures located near the ancient capital of Luoyang. They are one of the three largest grotto sites in China and are renowned for their artistic and historical significance. The script mentions that over a hundred thousand Buddha statues were carved there over a four hundred year period, highlighting the grottoes' importance in the video's theme of Buddhist art and history.

💡G Hay River

The G Hay River is the geographical feature that runs through the area where the Longmen Grottoes are located. It provides a natural setting for the grottoes and is part of the landscape that has contributed to the preservation and discovery of these historical sites. The script mentions the river as it flows through the suburbs of the ancient capital, indicating its relevance to the location and context of the grottoes.

💡Tang Dynasty

The Tang Dynasty is a significant period in Chinese history known for its cultural and artistic achievements. The script refers to the seventh century, during which the large Buddha statue inside one of the caves was carved, indicating the Tang Dynasty's role in the development of the Longmen Grottoes. The mention of the Tang Dynasty connects the grottoes to a time of great artistic and cultural flourishing in China.

💡Northern Wei Dynasty

The Northern Wei Dynasty is another important era in Chinese history that preceded the Tang Dynasty. The script notes that the oldest cave in the Longmen Grottoes dates back to the year 494 during the Northern Wei dynasty. This period is significant for the initiation of the grotto carvings, which began as individual and state projects, reflecting the early period's religious and political motivations for creating the statues.

💡Buddha Statues

Buddha Statues are the central artistic focus of the Longmen Grottoes, with more than one hundred thousand carved over time. The script describes the large Buddha statue carved in the seventh century and the seated Buddha statue commissioned by Emperor Chuai Wu, illustrating the religious significance of these figures and their role in the grottoes' artistic heritage.

💡Inscriptions

Inscriptions are the written texts found on the walls around each Buddha statue in the grottoes. They provide historical context and explain why the statues were carved, often indicating the patron's intentions or the period's religious beliefs. The script mentions that inscriptions were present during the early period of carving, mainly for individuals, which helps to understand the personal and religious motivations behind the creation of the statues.

💡Virocana Buddha Statue

The Virocana Buddha Statue is a particularly significant sculpture within the Longmen Grottoes, located in the main hall and standing 17 meters high. The script describes it as a masterpiece of Buddhist art from the Tang Dynasty, believed to be built with the donation from Emperor Gaozong's wife, Wu Zetian, showcasing the statue's importance in the grottoes' artistic and religious significance.

💡Bodhisattva

Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings in Buddhism who have chosen to forgo their own nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment. The script mentions statues of bodhisattvas surrounding the central Virocana figure, indicating their role as compassionate guides and protectors in Buddhist belief and their artistic representation in the grottoes.

💡Fengxi Nck

Fengxi Nck is a specific construction within the Longmen Grottoes that was built in 675 on the order of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty. It represents a period of renewed grotto construction and artistic activity, illustrating the continued importance of the grottoes during the Tang Dynasty.

💡Pho Cave

Pho Cave is a part of the Longmen Grottoes that contains thousands of carved Buddha statues, some of which are less than 10 centimeters high. The script highlights the Pho Cave as an example of the extensive and intricate carving work that took place during the Tang period, emphasizing the scale and detail of the artistic creations within the grottoes.

💡Conservation Project

A conservation project is an initiative aimed at preserving and restoring cultural heritage sites. The script discusses the ongoing conservation efforts at the Longmen Grottoes, which involve addressing issues like water seepage and material decay, and are supported collaboratively by China, Japan, and UNESCO. This keyword is crucial as it reflects the current challenges and the international cooperation required to maintain the integrity of the grottoes.

Highlights

The Longmen Grottoes are one of the three largest grotto sites in China.

The large Buddha statue inside the cave was carved during the Tang Dynasty in the seventh century.

Over 100,000 Buddha statues were carved at the site over a 400-year period.

The oldest cave dates back to the year 494 during the Northern Wei dynasty.

Inscriptions on the wall explain the reasons for carving the Buddha statues during the early period.

Statues were initially carved for individuals, followed by state carvings.

The seated Buddha statue was commissioned by Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei dynasty.

Buddhism was a national religion, and the Emperor was regarded as a reincarnation of Buddha.

Grotto construction resumed during the Tang Dynasty after the fall of the Northern Wei dynasty.

Fengxian Hall was built in 675 on the order of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty.

The main hall's Virocana Buddha statue is 17 meters high and believed to be built with the Emperor's donation.

The grottoes are considered great masterpieces of Buddhist art from the Tang Dynasty.

Approximately 60% of the grottoes were made during the Tang period.

The Pho Cave contains thousands of Buddha statues, some less than 10 centimeters high.

The Longmen Grottoes were at their height during the construction of the Pho Cave.

The site remained hidden for 1500 years before being discovered in the 20th century.

The site was looted shortly after its discovery and faces issues of dilapidation.

Water leakage from cracks due to faults in the mountain rocks is a significant problem.

Restoration work is ongoing, but the materials used for repairs decay quickly.

A conservation project is underway with the collaborative support of China, Japan, and UNESCO.