Beishan Rock Carvings 北山
Beishan Rock Carvings 北山 are the earlier Dazu Rock Carvings commissioned by Wei Junjing in 892 AD, about 20 minutes away from Baodingshan Rock Carvings. The rock carvings here are divided into No.1-100 in the south section and No.101-290 in the north section. The grottoes here are very dense, like a bee hive, with over 5,000 statues that are intricately carved and colorful. The highlight of Beishan rock carvings are the statues of Avalokitesvara which are ornamental with different looks and poses such as Avalokitesvara with a Rosary, Avalokitesvara Watching the Moon Reflection in the Water, and Thousand-armed and Thousand-eyed Avalokitesvara. If you have enough time and stamina, don’t forget to visit the Duobao Pagoda (多宝塔) to see the giant cliff statues of Beishan, the Two Buddhas of the North Pagoda (unfortunately under restoration during my visit).
Beishan Rock Carvings
Revolving Sutra Repository Cave
Yuanjue Cave 圓覺洞 uses skylights to bring our attention to the kneeling figure in the otherwise dim cave. There is also a concealed drainage system in the cave called “Divine Dragon Spitting Water.”
Yuanjue Cave 圓覺洞
The Ox herding parable illustrates the process of enlightenment through the images of herding a wild ox. As the herdsman gradually tames his wild ox, so does the spiritual seeker tame his unruly mind through the practice of Zen.
Baodingshan Rock Carvings
Baodingshan Rock Carvings
Wheel of Life
The Three Sacred of Huayan 華嚴三聖 are Manjushri Bodhisattva 文殊菩薩, Vilu Chana Buddha 毗盧遮那彿, and Puxian Bodhisattva 普賢菩薩.
They are 7 meters high with their heads and lotus platforms all connected to the cliff.
The Three Sacred of Huayan 華嚴三聖
The Three Sacred of Huayan 華嚴三聖
The Three Sacred of Huayan 華嚴三聖 where just the seven-story pagoda held by the Manjushri Bodhisattva is 1.85m tall weighing over 500kg! It is truly an engineering marvel that they remained standing, exposed to the elements, for over thousands of years.
The Three Sacred of Huayan 華嚴三聖
This stunning relief features the 1000-armed Avalokiteshvara, with 1000 hands and 1000 eyes to better see and save sentient beings all over the world. This specific statue has undergone immense restoration work and was closed to the public for many years before opening back up a few years ago. The figure is more than 7 meters tall and more than 12 meters wide and has, 1007 arms and not two of them are the same.
This stunning relief features the 1000-armed Avalokiteshvara, with 1000 hands and 1000 eyes to better see and save sentient beings all over the world. This specific statue has undergone immense restoration work and was closed to the public for many years before opening back up a few years ago. The figure is more than 7 meters tall and more than 12 meters wide and has, 1007 arms and not two of them are the same.
Baodingshan Rock Carvings
Shakyamuni entering Nirvana represents an important part of Buddhist belief when the physical body of someone who has achieved enlightenment dies. Shakyamuni is accompanied by his Bodhisattvas and other attendants. It is said that he was giving a lecture, turned to lie down, and then entered Nirvana.
Shakyamuni entering Nirvana
Shakyamuni entering Nirvana
Nine Dragons Bathing the Prince 九龍浴太子 where the craftsmen cleverly utilized the natural flow of the mountain spring allowing the spring water to slowly flow out from the dragon’s mouth, just enough to sprinkle on the statue of Prince Siddhartha.
The Classic of Parents’ Grace depicting ten kinds of virtues in raising children.
The Classic of Parents’ Grace depicting ten kinds of virtues in raising children.
Transformation of the Great Compassionate Buddha’s Repayment of Kindness Sutra
大方便彿報恩經變相
Transformation of the Great Compassionate Buddha’s Repayment of Kindness Sutra
大方便彿報恩經變相
Transformation of the Great Compassionate Buddha’s Repayment of Kindness Sutra
大方便彿報恩經變相
Transformation of the Great Compassionate Buddha’s Repayment of Kindness Sutra
大方便彿報恩經變相
Baodingshan Rock Carvings
Baodingshan Rock Carvings
This elaborate tableau illustrates the deities and officials in charge of the circles of hell along with the punishments measured out to the sinners who end up here.
This elaborate tableau illustrates the deities and officials in charge of the circles of hell along with the punishments measured out to the sinners who end up here.
Dazu Rock Carvings is much smaller than I expected. After having been to Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes, Dazu is somewhat less impressive but I do like how the statues are carved to all lean out over the viewer. It is worth a quick visit if you are in Chongqing.
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