Lianhua Cave

The two disciples of one Buddha in this cave are standing up to persuade Sakyamuni and his two disciples to preach. The eldest disciple, JIAYE, holds a staff and wears thick and broad cassock, which is like a long journey through hard years. The left and right Bodhisattvas wear a lotus crown with beautiful posture.

Lianhua Cave

Lotus cave is one of the caves in Longmen Grottoes. It was built in 525-527 AD and got its name because there is a huge lotus on the top of the cave.

Main attractions

The two disciples of one Buddha in this cave are standing up to persuade Sakyamuni and his two disciples to preach. The eldest disciple, JIAYE, holds a staff and wears thick and broad cassock, which is like a long journey through hard years. The left and right Bodhisattvas wear a lotus crown with beautiful posture.

Above the south wall, there is a small thousand Buddha, only 2 cm high, with fine carving and vivid modeling. In the second niche of the lower level, there are two exquisite stories about Buddhism, on which there are flying dances.

There is a flame pattern on the lintel outside the cave, and a beast shaped shop head is carved in the middle of the cave. On the top left is Zhao Yan, the censor of Henan and other places in the Ming Dynasty, inscribed with the word "Yi Jue".

The use of natural caves to dig caves is also one of the Longmen Grottoes. This method is time-saving and labor-saving, with quick results. Lotus cave is an example. Lotus cave, also known as yique cave, is located in the west mountain of Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang City, north of Fengxian Temple. It was excavated in the late Northern Wei Dynasty and got its name because there is a beautiful lotus on the top of the cave.

The lotus cave is carved with a Buddha, two disciples and two Bodhisattvas. The main statue is Sakyamuni, which is 5.10 meters high. Different from other Buddha statues, the Buddha statue is standing and dressed in cassock, which seems to be Sakyamuni Buddha. It has traveled thousands of miles from India to China to spread Buddhism. On both sides of the bas reliefs, there are many disciples, who are accompanied by JIAYE and Ananda. JIAYE is holding a staff (but his head and face have been stolen), and Ananda stands in awe. Bodhisattvas are beautiful and gorgeous, as if showing the solemnity and prosperity of the Buddha world. The two walls of the cave are full of niches, large and small. The layout of niches is clear or well arranged. The composition of niches is exquisite, including pointed arch, lintel arch, eaves arch, Yingluo, curtain, tassel, cloud pattern, rolled grass pattern, geometric pattern, lotus flower, Baoxiang flower, etc. On the dome, there is a large and exquisite lotus. The technique of high relief makes the lotus more striking in the cave. Around the lotus, there are six large flying reliefs holding fruits in hand and flying in the wind. They are graceful and vivid. The sky clothes and clouds are flying with the dancing of the goddess, such as with the melody of music, which makes the whole caisson change its former tranquility Deep and flexible.

Beautiful statues, such as Buddha, disciples, Bodhisattvas, strongmen, flying Apsaras, holy monks, donors, etc., are numerous and beautiful. When you wander around, you can feel the scene of the Buddhist kingdom. The lotus on the top of the cave is unique in the beauty center. It is vivid and lifelike. The exquisite and complicated decorations and carvings make the whole cave full of elegant and peaceful atmosphere. Most of the caissons on the top of Buddhist grottoes are decorated with lotus, but such exquisite lotus carving is rare in grottoes.

Address: North of Fengxian Temple, Xishan, Longmen

Longitude: 112.4759979248

Latitude: 34.552700042725

Chinese PinYin : Lian Hua Dong