Middle Binyang Cave

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The upper portion of the central Sakyamuni figure (May 2004)

Middle Binyang Cave (simplified Chinese: 宾阳中洞; traditional Chinese: 賓陽中洞; pinyin: Bīnyáng Zhōng Dòng) is cave number 140 at the Longmen Grottoes near Luoyang, Henan, China.

Dimensions[]

12m long, 10.9m wide, 9.3m high.

History[]

Constructed by order of Emperor Xuanwu of the Northern Wei in honour of his parents Emperor Xiaowen and , the cave was supposed to imitate at the Yungang Caves. Work began in 500 and was completed in 523. In 1987 a brick-entrance was demolished to reveal two new figures: a four-headed, four-armed Brahma and a one headed, four armed Śakra devendra.

Features[]

The back wall is a carved Sakyamuni, with two disciples and two bodhisattvas. The main Buddha and bodhisattvas are representative of the Northern Wei sculptural style. A lotus-flower pool decorates the floor. The ceiling is engraved with a blossoming lotus flower, 8 musical apsarases, 2 attending apsarases and tassel and drapery patterns. The front wall is covered with a large Vimalakirti relief, the Prince Sattva jataka, the jataka, an emperor/empress worshipping scene and ten deity kings.

Nearby caves[]

The cave is flanked by North and South Binyang Caves.

Images[]

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  Rear and north walls (2004)

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  South wall (2004)