Longmen Travel Guide - Lotus Cave
Posted by ugfanfan on March 17th, 2015
Lianhua Cavern (Lotus Cave) is situated on the middle ground of Western Mountain at Longmen Grottoes. It is an essential cave attribute of those during the Northern Wei interval. The cave got its name due to a large comfort lotus on its roof.
On the higher aspect of the entry is a pointed-arch-shaped lintel with blood vessels of fire. On the middle aspect of the lintel is designed a calabash-like monster experience with odd functions. Under the southern part of the entry appears a soldier.
The cave was increased from a lava cave. With a coved roof, the cave is 6.1 metres great, 6.2 metres extensive and 9.8 metres strong. At the middle of the roof is a comfort lotus plant that is 3.6 metres across and 0.35 metres dense. At the primary of the plant rests a seedpot marked with plant seeds. The seedpot is enclosed by pistils. Still outside to be able are a circular of little flower petals and a circular of big flower petals circled by blood vessels of easy foliage honeysuckle. The chiselling of the lotus is so sensitive that it can be ranked as a work of art. Due to its spotlessness and whiteness though expanded in definitely like, lotus is often considered and used as something sacred and genuine, which is a icon of holiness and cleanliness, best of fortune, tranquility and spotlessness. The plant is enclosed on the southern and north ends by three apsarases with wonderful positions, all of whom experiencing the primary sculpture. They each use a jewellery coronal, a dress and lace with the breasts nude and both legs covered. Having an incense burning or a compote, the apsarases are traveling in the sky, which gives an impact of “The valuable plant delivers fortune and dwarves the clouds; the incredible songs is the most wonderful of all appears to be on the globe.”
On the primary walls of the cave appears a Buddha joined by two followers and two bodhisattvas. The primary sculpture Sakyamuni, 5.10 metres in size, appears bare-footed on a low lotus throne, dressed in a reduce kasaya with extensive girdles. Behind the sculpture is a ship-like nimbuses whose tip gets to the roof. Of the two comfort followers the one on the remaining Kanakabharadvaja , in particular, has a high-bridged nasal area, strong eye electrical sockets, facial lines on the temple and brought up throat bone fragments. He places his left-hand at the front part of his chest area, a employees in his right part. It is a common picture of an old weather-beaten Native indian monk. The chiselling of this picture is so outstanding that it is the most sensitive go image of Kanakabharadvaja in Longmen Grottoes. It is a disgrace that the go was thieved and then marketed overseas in the Thirties, which is now kept in Jeamie Art gallery in London, Italy.
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