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Longmen caves.

Luoyang, China. Tang Dynasty

493-1127 CE

Limestone

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Influence of Buddhism on Fengxian Temple

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Influence of Buddhism on Fengxian Temple

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The Fengxian Temple features a seated Buddha, or Vairocana, which represents the universal aspect of the Buddha. Vairocana is a central figure in Chinese Buddhism, because it reflects the complexity and scale of the religion at the time.

The enormous scale (17 meters tall) emphasizes the transcendental nature of the Buddha, reinforcing the idea of boundless spiritual presence. Its calm, symmetrical face and meditative gesture reflects serenity.

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Influence of Buddhism and Imperial Patronage in the Central Binyang Cave

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Influence of Buddhism and Imperial Patronage in the Central Binyang Cave

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The triad format of the cave - one central buddha flanked by bodhisattvas - is tied to Buddhist cosmology and practice. In the Mahayana tradition, they emphasize Buddhas and bodhisattvas as mediators.

The Indian Gupta-style influences are seen through high-relief carvings and flowing robes, however local Chinese culture is seen through the stiffer drapery and elongated bodies. This reflects how Buddhism was filtered through Chinese religious expectations

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The influence of local artistic traditions seen in the Fengxian Temple

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The influence of local artistic traditions seen in the Fengxian Temple

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The Fengxian Temple, featuring the Vairocana Buddha, reflects the local artistic traditions and environments seen in both the style and treatment of the Buddha figures. The round face and bodily proportions of the Buddha as well as the drapery which resembles Tang court fashion highlight the shift from an Indian influenced style to the Tang Chinese style. These changes combined with a heavier focus on naturalism and realism are a reflection of Chinese ideas surrounding beauty and divinity, and pushing away from a more abstract take on art seen earlier.

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Historical Context - Northern Wei to Tang Dynasty

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Historical Context - Northern Wei to Tang Dynasty

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Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 CE) to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) stylistic evolution:

The Northern Wei adopted Buddhism to help diversify people in Northern China. This is why the Binyang Cave shows Indian influence. In contrast, the Tang Dynasty was more wealthy and confident in their Chinese culture, and the Fengxian Temple reflects this through their naturalistic features of a Chinese aesthetic.

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Comparison between the Cliff Dwellings at Mesa Verde and the Longmen Caves

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Comparison between the Cliff Dwellings at Mesa Verde and the Longmen Caves

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Similarities between the Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings and the Longmen Caves include: structures carved directly into rock/cliff faces, reflection of religious and cultural influence- Mesa Verde’s ancestral puebloans and Longmen Caves’s buddhist artists and patrons. Differences include the purpose of the works. Mesa Verde was intended for a residential purpose, while Longmen Caves had religious purposes. In addition, an important difference is the time period. Mesa Verde is 600-1300 CE, and Longmen Caves is 5th-9th century CE.