Longmen Grottoes (UNESCO/NHK)
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
🗿 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
💡G Hay River
💡Tang Dynasty
💡Northern Wei Dynasty
💡Buddha Statues
💡Inscriptions
💡Virocana Buddha Statue
💡Bodhisattva
💡Fengxi Nck
💡Pho Cave
💡Conservation Project
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.
Transcripts
Buddha's on the cliffside Longman
grottoes this is the G Hay River it runs
through the suburbs of the ancient
capital of Luo yang the Longmen grottoes
are one of the three largest grotto
sites in China the large Buddha statue
inside this cave was carved in the
seventh century during the Tang Dynasty
more than one hundred thousand Buddha
statues were carved here over a four
hundred year period the oldest cave
dates back to the Year 494 at the time
of the Northern Wei dynasty inscriptions
on the wall around each Buddha statue
explain why it was carved during the
early period they were mainly carved for
individuals then state carvings began
this seated Buddha statue was
commissioned by chuan Wu the seventh
Emperor of the Northern Wei dynasty
the statue is made to resemble his
father shower when Buddhism was a
national religion of the Northern Wei
dynasty and his Emperor was regarded as
a reincarnation of Buddha hardly any new
grottoes were made after the fall of the
dynasty in the middle of the 6th century
grotto construction resumed during the
Tang Dynasty
fengxi Nck was built in 675 on the order
of gaozong the third emperor of the Tang
Dynasty the virocana Buddha statue in
the main hall is 17 metres high it's
believed the statue was built with the
donation from the Emperor's Wu's Etienne
there are statues of the bodhisattva
Buddha's disciples and other virus ara
images around the central virocana
figure they are regarded as the great
masterpieces of Buddhist art during the
Tang Dynasty about 60% of the grottoes
were made during the tang period when
pho cave contains thousands of carved
Buddha statues some are less than 10
centimeters high
the Longmen grottoes were at their
height during construction of this cave
it had remained hidden for 1500 years
before it was discovered during the 20th
century it was sadly looted shortly
afterwards dilapidation of the site has
become an important issue in recent
years water comes out from cracks
because of faults in the mountain rocks
restoration work is constant with the
material used for repairs
soon decays this is creating a new set
of problems a conservation project is
underway with the collaborative support
of China Japan and UNESCO
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