Artist: Unknown
Title: Fenxian Tung (Cave 19), ground plan
Material: hard limestone
Site: Longmen, Henan
Current Location:
Period/Date: Dedicated in 675 C.E., Tang dynasty
Iconography/Iconology: The iconography and composition at this cave
is typical of the Tang period. At the center is the large Buddha figure,
in this case, Vairochana. The two arhats, Ananda and Kashyapa, who demonstrate
the Buddha's community and the inherent presence of Shakyamuni in the image
of Vairochana flank the Buddha. Two bodhisattvas, Manjushri and Samantabadra,
illustrating the wisdom and compassion components of a Buddha's enlightenment
are also depicted. Vaishravana and Virudhaka, two of the four guardian kings
who guard the slopes of the conceptual cosmogonic representation of the
Buddhist world system, Mt. Meru, are seen beside the bodhisattvas. The guardian
king's presence unequivocablly demonstrate that the Buddha and his attendents
appear in the Mt. Meru realms and that the cave is a direct representation
of the Mountain. Also attending the Budha are two benevolent kings, Garbhavira
and Vajravira. Their main function, as described in the text of the Two
Benevolent Kings is to guard the state against misfortunes.
Stylistic Comments:
