The statues of Longmen Grottoes are seriously damaged due to two reasons. The first being the four periods where Buddhism was suppressed. The destruction of Buddhist relics was decreed by Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty, Emperor Shizong of the Late Zhou Dynasty and Emperor Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty. The Longmen Grottoes were particularly affected by the last three incidents. The second reason is the destruction and theft of Buddhist relics by foreign powers when the national state was weak during China's modern history.
Most of the statues are defaced. Many did not survive the suppression of Buddhism evident from the single blow of the chisel aimed at defacing the many serene faces of Buddha. Many more fall prey to the black markets of the West. Small statues have been entirely carted away from their very stone bases. Only shadows of their presence remain of a pair of seated statues. Who were they? Bodhisattvas meditating on the Dharma? Husband and wife benefactors of the grottoes? We shall never know. The bigger statues generally survive complete obliteration although smaller limbs light enough to steal away under the cover of night such as whole faces and elegant hands are severed from their bodies.
A small Bodhisattva the length of his finger remains surprisingly untouched. Full of grace, she stands as a small but vivid testament to the beauty of those not as lucky as herself.
Most of the statues are defaced. Many did not survive the suppression of Buddhism evident from the single blow of the chisel aimed at defacing the many serene faces of Buddha. Many more fall prey to the black markets of the West. Small statues have been entirely carted away from their very stone bases. Only shadows of their presence remain of a pair of seated statues. Who were they? Bodhisattvas meditating on the Dharma? Husband and wife benefactors of the grottoes? We shall never know. The bigger statues generally survive complete obliteration although smaller limbs light enough to steal away under the cover of night such as whole faces and elegant hands are severed from their bodies.
A small Bodhisattva the length of his finger remains surprisingly untouched. Full of grace, she stands as a small but vivid testament to the beauty of those not as lucky as herself.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment