South Binyang Cave

The patterned roof, central and flanking figures (May 2004)

South Binyang Cave (simplified Chinese: 宾阳南洞; traditional Chinese: 賓陽南洞; pinyin: Bīnyáng Nán Dòng) is cave number 159 at the Longmen Grottoes near Luoyang, Henan province, China.

History

Initiated by order of Emperor Xuanwu of the Northern Wei in honour of his parents Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Wenzhao, the cave was not completed until the Sui.

Features

The main image is an Amitabha which is said to represent the transition of solemn and majestic Northern Wei sculpture in to the more lifelike style of the Tang. There are multiple inscriptions in the cave, and additional figures are also present (possibly bodhisattvas).

Nearby caves

Middle Binyang Cave and North Binyang Cave are adjacent to the north..

Images

• 
  South wall with Bodhisattva and additional figure (2004)
• 
  Rear and north walls (2004)