Amanda Duchesne
Shrine to Vairocana Buddha
General Description
The Shrine to Vairocana Buddha is part of the Longmen Grottoes near the city of Luoyang, an ancient capital of China. It is one of many shrines located in the Grottoes. There are many different caves and the carvings span from the year 480 to 900 and on. The carvings in these caves, especially the Shrine of Vairocana Buddha, are great examples of Buddhist art. Longmen is comprised of over a thousand caves, close to 100,000 sculpted figures and thousands of inscriptions.
Architectural Design
The architectural design of the Shrine to Vairocana Buddha is a type of landscape architecture. The Longmen Grottoes comprise numerous caves and sculptures carved into the limestone hills. Many of the sculptures are of Buddha's and other religious icons. The Vairocana Buddha Shrine is the largest and is part of Fengxian Cave. The shrine is approximately 57 feet tall. The head alone is about 13 feet tall. It was constructed during the early Tang Dynasty. It is truly a testament to the great skill stone sculptors possessed during this time.
Harmony With Nature
Even though the Vairocana Buddha is carved right into the cliff it still remains harmonious with nature. Its construction does not interfere with other landscape elements. The construction of this shrine as well as the Longmen Caves is not like a mine where caves are left abandoned and desolate. Rather, they enhance the landscape. The years have eroded many parts of Longmen. Luckily the Shrine of Vairocana Buddha is not lost.
Symbolism and Sacred Objects
Part of the symbolism of the Shrine to Vairocana Buddha is seen in the face. Some believe that the face of the Buddha is modeled after the Empress Wu Zetian. This can be symbolic of her godly right of status. Amy McNair from the University of Kansas hypothesizes that the Empress Wu took over the construction of the Shrine as a way to honor her ancestors. This could perhaps be why people speculate that the face is of the Empress. The Grottoes and the sculptures were commissioned by the emperors and thus were a way to assert their noble right to rule. The shrine also has other sacred elements, such as two disciples of the Buddha, heavenly kings and temple guards. The Vairocana Buddha is sitting on a throne of lotus petals most of which are long since eroded away.
How it is Used by Worshippers
The Longmen Grottoes are a major Buddhist pilgrimage site in China. Many Buddhists from around the world visit to worship. Since it is a substantial piece of art and history it has also become a tourist attraction for people from all over the world. The Shrine of Vairocana Buddha is part of Fengxian Cave; as such, it is part of the nearby Fengxian Temple. According to McNair, by worshipping at the shrine individuals would garner improved karma but so too would the emperor who commissioned it. This in turn would aid in their salvation.
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