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South Binyang Cave, Longmen
This stitched-together photo shows the sculptures (a pentad of Amida, disciples, and bodhisattvas) in South Binyang, located to the left of the Middle Binyang cave. At photo left, Mahasthamaprapta bears a vase in his crown. The position of the right hand indicates that it once held a lotus. The left hand carries an illegible attribute, perhaps a vase. Photo right, Guanyin with lotus in her right hand and an unidentified attribute (not a vase) in her left hand.
The South Binyang cave was begun during the Northern Wei dynasty and completed in the Tang. The three Binyang caves were planned by the Northern Wei emperor Xuanwu as a memorial to his parents, but only the central cave was completed during his dynasty.
Reference for names: Chinese Deities
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