Lianhua Cave

Lianhua Cave

Lotus cave is one of the caves in Longmen Grottoes. It was built in 525-527 ad. it is named after a huge lotus flower carved on the top of the cave,

The lotus roof of the Great Hall of the people and the caisson at the top of GuanFeng Hall of Shangyang Palace

They are all based on this lotus design.

On the main wall of the lotus cave, there are two Bodhisattvas, two disciples of one Buddha. The main statue is a standing statue of Sakyamuni, wearing a broad ribbon cassock with simple and bright pleats. This is the image of Sakyamuni when he went out to preach. The second disciple is a bas relief. On the left, his eyes are deep and his nose is high. His chest is protruding and he holds a tin rod. He looks like an ascetic monk in the western regions. Unfortunately, his head was stolen in the early years. He is now in the Jimei Museum in France.

Lotus cave has the smallest Buddha statue in Longmen Grottoes, only 2 cm high. These small Thousand Buddhas are located above the south wall of lotus cave, vivid and detailed.

Digging method

Lianhua cave is also one of the Longmen Grottoes. This method saves time and effort, and has quick effect.

geographical position

Lotus cave, also known as yique cave, is located in the west mountain of Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang City, north of Fengxian Temple.

Digging time

Lotus cave was excavated in the late Northern Wei Dynasty.

The origin of the name

Lotus cave is named after a beautiful big lotus in the relief on the top of the cave.

Layout in the tunnel

Lotus cave is carved with one Buddha, two disciples and two Bodhisattvas. One Buddha and two disciples are standing for Sakyamuni to lead the two disciples to lobby and 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.

The main statue of Sakyamuni, 5.10 meters high, is different from other Buddha statues in that the Buddha statue is standing, dressed in cassock, and seems to be Sakyamuni Buddha. He 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.

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".

Around the lotus, there are six large flying reliefs holding fruits in hand and flying in the wind. They are graceful and vivid, while the sky clothes and clouds are flying with the dancing of the goddess, such as the melody of music, which makes the whole caisson become more flexible and quiet.

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.

Value impact

On the dome of the lotus cave, there is a large and exquisite lotus. The technique of high relief makes the lotus more striking in the cave. 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. The lotus roof of the Great Hall of the people is designed based on this lotus.

The main hall of Shangyang palace, Guanfeng hall, is a pillarless hall on the first floor, with a top height of up to 15 meters. The caisson on the top is built on the top of the lotus cave in Longmen Grottoes, surrounded by Baoxiang pattern, curling grass pattern and flying sky painting, vividly representing the prosperous atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty.

Address: Taibai Mountain National Forest Park, Mei County, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province

Longitude: 107.89037050793

Latitude: 34.119869640928

Chinese PinYin : Lian Hua Dong