Huozhou Thousand Buddha Caves

Huozhou Thousand Buddha Caves

The Thousand Buddha Caves, also known as the Buddha Mother Cave, are located in the mountains southeast of Nantai. From the temple cluster area of Taihuai, head south along the road for twenty li to Baiyun Temple, then turn west and hike up the valley road for five li to reach the Thousand Buddha Caves. A cliff resembling a barrier features a section of rock face near the summit, with a natural large cave on the right. According to the *Qingliang Mountain Annals*: “In the late Jiajing era, a man named Dao Fang wandered here at night and saw tens of thousands of divine lamps, which appeared to go in and out. He followed them inside and saw jade Buddha statues densely arranged within. The cavern was vast and deep; after advancing about a li, he faintly heard the sound of waves, which terrified him and made him unable to exit. Remembering the name of Guanyin and vowing to carve a statue, he suddenly spotted a lamp and followed its light out. He then commissioned the carving of stone Buddha statues at the cave entrance.” Later generations built halls around the stone cave and statues, naming it the Thousand Buddha Caves. This natural limestone cave consists of an inner and outer cave. The outer cave is spacious, with stone-carved Buddha statues at the entrance. It extends into a dark interior, where there are five flat, round holes at the back that connect to the inner cave. The stone holes are just wide enough for one person to pass through, but one must lift one arm tightly against the head and lower the other arm tightly against the waist, tilting the shoulders to squeeze through into the inner cave. The same contorted posture is required to exit from the inner cave. The inner cave is shaped like a gourd and can accommodate six or seven people. It contains various stalactites and stalagmites resembling internal organs and spinal bones, so entering the cave is referred to as “entering the womb of the Buddha Mother,” and exiting as “being reborn by the Buddha Mother.” According to Buddhist belief, “being reborn by the Buddha Mother” can cleanse one’s past “sins” and grant a “new life.” The “Buddha Mother Cave” at the Thousand Buddha Caves is a must-visit site for Buddhist devotees, especially those from Mongolia, Tibet, and overseas, who come to pay homage at Mount Wutai. Many tourists also visit here for sightseeing.