Bodhisattva Rock Cliff Carvings

Bodhisattva Rock Cliff Carvings

The Bodhisattva Rock Cliff Carvings are a cultural relic protection unit of Suining City.

Bodhisattva Rock Cliff Carvings

Era: Tang Dynasty

Category: Grotto Temples and Stone Carvings

Date of Announcement: August 15, 2012

Address: Huangjueya Village, Dongchan Town, Anju District

Introduction: The Bodhisattva Rock stone carvings and cliff statues are located in Dongchan Town. Currently, the niches are uniformly numbered as No. 19, comprising over 80 statues, 3 inscriptions, and the -2 niche, all carved on a cliff face about 100 meters long from east to west and 30 meters high. Among them, Niche 4 was carved in the second year of the Guanghua era of the Tang Dynasty (899), featuring 16 statues consisting of two Buddhas, two bodhisattvas, two disciples, two guardian warriors, and eight attendants, all facing south. The two main figures have peach-shaped halo backings, spiral knots in their hair, plump bodies, long ears reaching their shoulders, and serene facial expressions. They wear open-shoulder kasayas with thick drapery lines and are seated in lotus position on lotus pedestals. The bodhisattvas have peach-shaped halos behind their heads, wear tall jeweled crowns, have scarves draped gracefully over their shoulders, wear necklaces around their throats, wear diagonally draped shawls over their upper bodies, have silk sashes tied at the waist, long skirts that touch the ground beneath, outer shawls, and beaded necklaces hanging across their chests. One hand hangs down to adjust their robes, while the other holds a fly whisk, and they stand barefoot on inverted lotus pedestals. The disciples have round halos behind their heads, wear open-shoulder kasayas, and press their hands together in front of their chests. The guardian warriors are depicted above the waist, wearing short skirts with flowing sashes, one holding a vajra pestle and the other hand empty, appearing strong and majestic. The rest are images of attendants. On the southern wall of the niche is an inscription that reads: “Disciple of the Buddha Wen... in the second year of Hua... the eighth month, the twenty-sixth day…”. The entire niche features ancient and dignified imagery, a grand aura, is largely intact, and holds extremely high cultural heritage value.

Huangjueya Village: Huangjueya Village…… More details about Huangjueya Village++

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units