Form
* 2,300 caves and niches filled with Buddhist art
* steep limestone cliffs extend for almost a mile
* contain approximately 110,000 Buddhist stone statues, 60 stupas, and 2,800 inscriptions carved on steles
* linear and abstract motifs are typical of the mature Northern Wei style
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Content
Central Binyang Cave:
* surrounded by low relief carvings (painted in brilliant blue, red, ochre, and gold)
* pentad (five figures) across from entry, central Buddha, seated on a lion throne
* assisted by two bodhisattvas (enlightened, put off entering paradise to help others) and two disciples
* flattened, elongated bodies, elaborate clothes, jewelry, and crowns, floral designs, gentle, smile
* finely chiseled haloes, lotus carving, celestial deities flutter down from the heavens
* Two relief carvings of imperial processions once surrounded the entrance
Fengxian Temple:
* group of 9 monumental images carved into limestone, high relief
* central Buddha (over 55 feet tall), bodhisattva, heavenly king, and thunderbolt holder (vajrapani)
* Buddha/bodhisattva- softer/rounder modeling, serene faces vs engaging and animated heavenly guardians and vajrapani
Kanjing Temple
* accurate portrayals of individuals, intense realism
* walls lined with images of arhats (worthy monks, far in quest for Enlightenment)
* 29 monk procession around cave, records lineage of great patriarchs of Buddhist doctrine
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Function
* Foreign rulers of the Northern Wei, Buddhist images for authority and power
* Tang dynasty leaders asserted sovereignty with the assistance of Buddhist iconography
* sculptures intentionally mirrored the political situation
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Context
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* 1st century C.E., Buddhism brought to China new ideas
* periods of the Northern Wei (386–534 C.E.) through early Tang dynasties (618–907 C.E.)
* NW Emperor Xiao Wen decided to move the capital south to Luoyang in 494 C.E.
* Central Binyang Cave- one of 3 caves started in 508 C.E.
* commissioned by Emperor Xuan Wu in memory of his father
* other two caves, Northern and Southern Binyang, never completed
* Adopted Chinese aesthetic- reliefs may be inspired by secular painting, Chinese court robes
* Fengxian Temple- sponsored by Emperor Gaozong and his wife, the future Empress Wu
* Kanjing cave Temple- created from about 690–704 C.E. under the patronage of Empress Wu