Henan, Where China Began丨Longmen Grottoes: The Brilliant Gem of Ancient Stone Carving Art
何以中国 行走河南丨龙门石窟：古代石刻艺术的璀璨明珠
The Longmen Grottoes, located in Luoyang, Henan province, are one of the treasures of ancient Chinese Buddhist art. The grottoes began construction during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534) and were expanded and embellished through the Eastern Wei (534-550), Western Wei (535-556), Northern Qi (550-577), Northern Zhou (557-581), Sui (581-618), and Tang (618-907) dynasties. This extensive grotto complex features primarily Buddhist statues, complemented by sculptures of bodhisattvas, arhats, and various Buddhist-themed reliefs and inscriptions. The carvings in Longmen Grottoes are intricately detailed and uniquely styled, showcasing the remarkable achievements of ancient Chinese Buddhist art.
龙门石窟位于河南省洛阳市，是中国古代佛教艺术的瑰宝之一。龙门石窟始建于北魏时期，历经东魏、西魏、北齐、北周、隋、唐等朝代的扩建和雕刻，形成了一个宏大的石窟群。石窟内的雕刻以佛像为主，辅以菩萨、罗汉以及各种佛教题材的浮雕和铭文，具有极高的艺术价值和历史价值。龙门石窟的雕刻精细入微，风格独特，体现了中国古代佛教艺术的辉煌成就。
Historical Background of Longmen Grottoes
历史背景
The Longmen Grottoes are located between Longmen Mountain and Baima Mountain, along both sides of the Yi River in the southern suburbs of Luoyang. Since the 5th century AD, the Longmen Grottoes have become a significant center of Chinese Buddhist art. The earliest caves were constructed by Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and subsequent emperors and eminent monks continued to expand and embellish these grottoes over different dynasties. The Longmen Grottoes are not only a prime example of Buddhist art but also a classic representation of ancient Chinese stone carving and architectural techniques. The caves house a vast collection of stone sculptures, inscriptions, and scriptures, documenting the flourishing history of ancient Chinese Buddhism.
龙门石窟坐落于洛阳市南郊的龙门山和白马山之间，沿伊河两岸分布。自公元5世纪开始，龙门石窟便成为中国佛教艺术的重要中心。最早的石窟由北魏孝文帝所建，其后，龙门石窟经历了持续的扩建和修缮。龙门石窟不仅是佛教艺术的杰出代表，也是中国古代石刻艺术和建筑技术的经典之作。石窟内保存有大量的石刻造像、碑刻和经文，记录了中国古代佛教的辉煌历史。
Artistic Features of Longmen Grottoes
艺术特色
The Longmen Grottoes are renowned for their diverse artistic styles and exquisite carving techniques. The Buddhist statues within the caves range from solemn and dignified to gentle and compassionate, reflecting the evolution of Buddhist art styles across different historical periods. Particularly during the Tang Dynasty, the artistic style of Longmen Grottoes reached its zenith, with more refined carving techniques and more vivid depictions of statues and reliefs. The grottoes also serve as unique historical records, with many inscriptions and engravings documenting the social conditions and religious thoughts of the time, providing valuable insights for the study of ancient Chinese history.
龙门石窟以其丰富多样的艺术风格和精湛的雕刻工艺著称。石窟内的佛像有的庄严肃穆，有的温和慈祥，显示了不同历史时期佛教艺术风格的演变。特别是在唐代，龙门石窟的艺术风格达到了顶峰，雕刻技艺更加细腻，佛像和浮雕更加生动。龙门石窟还具有独特的历史记载功能，许多碑刻和铭文记录了当时的社会风貌和宗教思想，为研究中国古代历史提供了珍贵资料。（赵汉青 杨佳欣）