Cave 3

Sui Dynasty, 581-618
Yungang Grottoes, Datong

The principal Buddha in Cave 3 belongs to Phase II (465 and later) of the caves. Its rounded face and Chinese robe has led scholars to assign it to the Sui Dynasty, just before the Tang, a full century later than the Tanyao Five. The Buddha's right hand is raised in abhaya mudra, the left in an unusual open posture. Small holes in the body once held pegs with attached plaster, as seen on the previous page.