麥積山導(dǎo)游詞參考
篇一：麥積山導(dǎo)游詞
麥積山，地處天水市東南方50公里的北道區(qū)麥積山鄉(xiāng)南側(cè)，是西秦嶺山脈小隴山中的一座孤峰。麥積山風(fēng)景名勝區(qū)總面積215平方公里，包括麥積山、仙人崖、石門、曲溪四大景區(qū)和街亭古鎮(zhèn)，麥積山石窟為中國四大石窟之一，其它三窟為：敦煌莫高窟，龍門石窟、云岡石窟。麥積山石窟屬全國重點(diǎn)文物保護(hù)單位，也是聞名世界的藝術(shù)寶庫。
麥積山為典型的丹霞地貌，因形如農(nóng)家麥垛而得名，山崖拔地而起，高80米，山勢險(xiǎn)峻，周圍綠樹成林，環(huán)境清幽。西漢末年，麥積山已成為天水名將隗囂的避暑宮。這里松檜陰森，橫云飛渡，煙霧團(tuán)繞，碧水長流，“其青云之半，峭壁之間，鐫石成佛，石龕千室”，薈萃著后秦、西秦、北魏、西魏、北周、隋、唐、五代、宋、元、明、清等十多個(gè)朝代的塑像7200余尊，壁畫1300多平方米，分布在194個(gè)洞窟里，與敦煌莫高窟、大同云崗石窟、洛陽龍門石窟一樣，有著珍貴的藝術(shù)寶藏。如果就藝術(shù)特色來分，敦煌側(cè)重于絢麗的壁畫，云崗、龍門著名于壯麗的石刻，而麥積山則以精美的塑像聞名于世。正如我國雕塑家劉開渠所贊美的：麥積山是“我國歷代的一個(gè)大雕塑館。”
麥積山歷史悠久，早在1600年前就享有盛名。五代人撰寫的《玉堂閑話》中說：“麥積山者，北跨清渭，南漸兩當(dāng)，五百里岡巒，麥積處其半，崛起一石塊，高百丈尋，望之團(tuán)團(tuán)，如民間積麥之狀，故有此名”。杜甫有詩贊曰：“野寺殘僧少，山圓細(xì)路高。麝香眠石竹，鸚鵡啄金桃。亂石通人過，懸崖置屋牢，上方重閣晚，百里見秋毫�！丙湻e山石窟是隨著絲綢之路的暢通，從十六國后秦時(shí)期開始營造的。據(jù)《梁高僧傳》載，南宋永初年間，高僧曇弘禪居麥積山，不久名僧玄高繼至，二人共住寺院，常有學(xué)徒300余人。西魏時(shí)，魏文帝原配皇后乙弗氏在這里死后，“鑿麥積崖為龕而葬。”北周保定、天和年間，秦州大都督李允信為其亡父造七佛閣，曾請(qǐng)庚信為他寫了一篇《秦州天水郡麥積崖佛龕銘并序》。隋文帝仁壽四年，秦州使在麥積山頂修建高9.4米的七級(jí)寶塔一座，相傳為阿育王84000寶塔之一。至今寶塔仍巍然屹立在山頂，不過只存五級(jí)，并系近年重修。
當(dāng)人們進(jìn)入麥積山風(fēng)景區(qū)后，首先映入眼簾的是憑崖而鑿的一組雕刻造像。中間一座佛，高達(dá)15米，左右兩尊菩薩侍立，喜笑顏開，迎送來往游客。行至山前，抬頭仰望，只見龕窟密如峰房，依窟建檐，層層相疊。棧道云梯修建于懸崖，淺龕深窟開鑿于峭壁，其建筑高超雄偉，工程奇險(xiǎn)浩大，令人贊絕。歷代游客詩人，雖驚慕不已，敢于攀至頂端者卻少如鳳毛麟角。唯心史觀有五代詩人王仁裕斗膽攀登，才寫下了：“躡盡懸崖萬仞梯，等閑身與白云齊；檐前下視群山小，堂上平分落日低；絕頂路危人少到，古巖松健鶴頻棲；天邊為要留名姓，拂石殷勤手自題�！钡那猩砀杏^。不過，現(xiàn)在的麥積山經(jīng)過大規(guī)模的加固修整和棧道修復(fù)，搖搖欲墜的崖體已經(jīng)穩(wěn)定，山上棧道也寬闊整齊，安全可靠，昔日王仁裕筆下的險(xiǎn)惡情景早已成為歷史。人們可以放心大膽地登游各個(gè)崖閣，隨心所欲地進(jìn)入各個(gè)洞窟，感情奔放地遠(yuǎn)眺山下美景。
麥積山高達(dá)142米，石窟多凌空鑿于20至70米高的懸崖峭壁上，有崖閣、摩窟、摩崖龕、山樓、走廊�？咝斡腥俗制马�、方塌四面坡頂、拱楣、穹頂、方楣平頂、方楣覆斗藻井、方形平頂、圓形小淺龕、盂頂。這些不同類型的窟龕、崖閣，是研究中西文化交流和建筑結(jié)構(gòu)演變、發(fā)展的實(shí)物資料。據(jù)記載，當(dāng)年開鑿石窟時(shí)，從下堆積木材，達(dá)到高處，然后施工，營造一層，木材拆除一層，直到山腳。相傳，李允信為其亡父造七佛閣時(shí)，就動(dòng)用人工40萬個(gè)。直到現(xiàn)在，當(dāng)?shù)剡�流傳有：“砍完南山柴，修起麥積崖”，“先有萬丈柴，后有麥積崖”的民謠。就連美國首批游客在1947年《和平日?qǐng)?bào)》中也稱贊麥積山石窟是“全世界七大工程又增其一”。
麥積山石窟，原是一個(gè)完整的山體，唐開元二十二年，天水一帶發(fā)生強(qiáng)烈地震，使崖面中間部分塌毀，整個(gè)窟群便分為東崖和西崖兩部分。東崖現(xiàn)存洞窟54個(gè)，西崖140個(gè)。由于麥積山石質(zhì)皆為紫褐色之水成子母巖，不宜精雕細(xì)鏤，所以大多采用泥塑和繪畫。麥積山塑像，主要題材有佛、菩薩、弟子、天王、力士等，盡管各代塑像同處一堂，但并不因襲模仿，而是保持著各自的時(shí)代特色，系統(tǒng)地反映了我國泥塑藝術(shù)的發(fā)展、演變過程。無論是高達(dá)15米的巨像，還是只有0.3米的小像，都給人以美感。蘇聯(lián)雕塑家尼·克林杜霍夫在參觀麥積山塑像后，激動(dòng)地說：“北魏和宋的雕塑在我看來是最引人入勝的。它們具有驚人的內(nèi)心世界，極富表現(xiàn)力的構(gòu)圖和雄偉的形體�！�
麥積山塑像有數(shù)千身，這里只能指出幾件較有代表性的杰作，起“窺一斑而知全豹”的作用。東崖造像，最壯麗的是4號(hào)窟上七佛閣。7間佛龕里有42尊菩薩塑像，神態(tài)莊嚴(yán)可親，華美而不俗，充滿著人間善良、慈祥和世俗的感情。各龕間都裝飾著天龍八部的浮塑，面容獰怪而不丑惡，表現(xiàn)了男性的'健美、威嚴(yán)、正直、勇猛、堅(jiān)毅的性格。與上七佛閣緊接的5號(hào)窟，名曰“牛兒堂”。中間龕門前有一摩醯首羅天，站在一只臥著的犢牛身上。這個(gè)牛兒，塑造得相當(dāng)動(dòng)人：圓圓的眼，頑皮地注視前言，腳雖蟠曲著，卻似乎要躍起的樣子，松弛的頸上垂著的皮，也象在動(dòng)著。不僅身形姿態(tài)具備了牛的特征，最出色的是把一只犢牛所具有的稚氣和活潑表現(xiàn)出來了，當(dāng)?shù)剞r(nóng)人非常喜愛，稱為“金蹄銀角的牛娃”。在牛兒堂西端有一可容一人通過，長約10米的隧道，門頂刻有：“小有洞天”四個(gè)字。相傳在明朝古歷四月初八的一天，秦州有個(gè)州官，游麥積山廟會(huì)，一時(shí)興起，想從七佛閣的擺渡鐵鏈上，用鷂子翻身的縱躍姿勢，游蕩到牛兒堂去，居然成功了�？墒钱�(dāng)他站穩(wěn)在牛兒堂，定睛向下觀看，只見懸崖陡立，山谷人群如同螞蟻，頓時(shí)頭暈?zāi)垦�，腿軟抖�?zhàn)，再也不敢邁步了。眾衙役只得火速請(qǐng) 來一群石匠鑿開了一個(gè)小洞，州官才從洞里爬了過來，至今當(dāng)?shù)剡�有“鷂子翻身，牛兒堂”的說法。
在西崖的石窟中，以133號(hào)和127號(hào)石窟為最大。133號(hào)碑洞，是麥積山最特殊的一個(gè)洞窟。洞中不僅有許多泥塑作品，而且有18塊石碑，有幾塊碑面密列賢動(dòng)千佛小佛像，因此又稱“萬佛堂”。其中10號(hào)、11號(hào)、16號(hào)為眾碑之精華。127號(hào)窟更為精彩，四壁及藻井壁畫大部皆存，筆致縱放，為后魏作風(fēng)。中繪佛說法圖，千乘萬騎來聽。西畫舍身飼虎圖，虎有12，形態(tài)各異，堪稱精品。尤其正壁龕中一石雕佛，最為妙絕，石佛背光中，上部伎樂天人12，各奏樂器。下部有飛天8個(gè)。左右各一侍者，雖小而各具神態(tài)。卷渦蓮花中，亦有蓮花生小佛頭。中間坐佛，舉掌端坐，顯出說法時(shí)的慈祥和悅。這座雕像，不要說在麥積山中，就是在世界佛教藝術(shù)中，都是稀有的珍品。
麥積山周圍還有幾個(gè)引人入勝的風(fēng)景點(diǎn)。如麥積山后崖三扇崖下的雕巢峪，是西漢末年，雄居天水自稱西州上將軍隗囂的避署宮。當(dāng)年的避暑宮，亭臺(tái)樓閣錯(cuò)落，曲道回廊相連，琉璃碧瓦瀉翠，紅墻金龍輝映，三檐四簇雕鳳，花影翠竹婆娑，銀練珠璣飛濺。隨著時(shí)間的流逝，金碧煥彩的避暑宮早已絕跡，只有三扇崖下高40米左右的飛瀑、古柏蒼松、嶙嶙怪石、奇花芳草、珍禽異獸尚存，組成處處有景，景景迷人的自然景觀。
1982年，麥積山以甘肅麥積山風(fēng)景名勝區(qū)的名義，被國務(wù)院批準(zhǔn)列入第一批國家級(jí)風(fēng)景名勝區(qū)名單。
石窟文化
麥積山石窟保留有大量的宗教、藝術(shù)、建筑等方面的實(shí)物資料，豐富了中國古代文化史。
一、 宗教
以佛教為主，反映了三佛、七佛，西方凈土等內(nèi)容，從壁畫和雕刻石碑中反映佛本生和佛傳故事是佛教文學(xué)的一種重要形式，如睒子本生、薩陲那太子舍身飼虎、涅盤等。通過對(duì)佛、菩薩、飛天等形象的塑作，反映了佛教對(duì)現(xiàn)實(shí)世界的精神啟迪。
二、 藝術(shù)
真實(shí)地反映了那個(gè)時(shí)代藝術(shù)家對(duì)美好生活的無限向往和審美取向。北魏造像秀骨清俊，睿智的微笑，暗含著對(duì)恐怖現(xiàn)實(shí)的蔑視，對(duì)人生榮辱的淡忘和超脫世俗之后的瀟灑與輕松；西魏、北周造像的溫婉和淳厚，沉醉于對(duì)現(xiàn)實(shí)生活的追求和對(duì)佛國世界的向往；隋唐造像豐
滿細(xì)膩；宋代造像衣紋寫實(shí)，面貌莊重。麥積山藝術(shù)以泥塑見長。藝術(shù)家們揚(yáng)棄了以往那種斤斤計(jì)較的細(xì)部講究，而把感染力提到了統(tǒng)率一切的高度，神情動(dòng)人，富有生活氣息。從麥積山各時(shí)代造像可窺見當(dāng)時(shí)藝匠們突破佛教的清規(guī)戒律，以現(xiàn)實(shí)生活中的人物為主要素材，加以藝術(shù)的夸張、想象、概括、提煉而創(chuàng)作出來的具有濃郁生活氣息的宗教人物：佛、菩薩、弟子、供養(yǎng)人等形象。第121窟中竊竊私語的佛弟子，第123窟中童男、童女所表現(xiàn)的虔誠，不是苦行者的虔誠，而是在時(shí)代思潮影響下的童稚般的真誠和愉悅。所以，麥積山塑像受當(dāng)?shù)厣鐣?huì)環(huán)境的影響使其表現(xiàn)了當(dāng)?shù)氐娜伺c情，使佛教造像好像在生活中似曾相識(shí)，使人感覺佛國世界的可親可愛，從而虔誠信奉。
麥積山石窟也曾是“有龕皆是佛、無壁不飛天”，但由于多雨潮濕，壁畫大多剝落，但仍保留北朝時(shí)期的西方凈土變、涅磐變、地獄變及睒子本生、薩陲那太子舍身飼虎等本生故事、壁畫中描繪的城池、殿宇、車騎和衣冠服飾多具有漢文化特色，反映這一時(shí)期的現(xiàn)實(shí)生活。尤其是飛天，多彩多姿更具特色，有泥塑、雕刻、繪畫以及薄肉塑四種形式的飛天。雖然飛天的故鄉(xiāng)在印度，但麥積山的飛天卻是中外文化共同孕育的藝術(shù)結(jié)晶，是印度佛教天人和中國道教神仙融合而成的中國文化的飛天。她沒有翅膀，沒有羽毛，她是借助云彩而不依靠云彩，只憑借飄曳的衣裙、飛舞的彩帶，凌空翱翔的美麗少女，是中國古代藝術(shù)家最具天才的杰作。同時(shí)，在壁畫、雕塑中也同樣反映舞蹈、樂器、為研究國古代音樂等方面提供了寶貴的資料。
三、建筑藝術(shù)
麥積山石窟開鑿在懸崖峭壁之上，洞窟“密如蜂房”，棧道“凌空飛架”，層層相疊，其驚險(xiǎn)陡峻為世罕見，形成一個(gè)宏偉壯觀的立體建筑群。其仿木殿堂式石雕崖閣獨(dú)具特色，雄渾壯麗。洞窟多為佛殿式而無中心柱窟，明顯帶有地方特色。
麥積山石窟群中最宏偉，最壯麗的一座建筑是第四窟上七佛龕，又稱“散花樓”，位于東崖大佛上方，距地面經(jīng)約八十米，為七間八柱廡殿式結(jié)構(gòu)，高約九米，面闊三十米，進(jìn)深八米，分前廊后室兩部分。立柱為八棱大柱，覆蓮瓣形柱礎(chǔ)，建筑構(gòu)件無不精雕細(xì)琢，體現(xiàn)了北周時(shí)期建筑技術(shù)的日臻成熟。后室由并列七個(gè)四角攢尖式帳形龕組成，帳幔層層重疊，龕內(nèi)柱、梁等建筑構(gòu)件均以浮雕表現(xiàn)。因而，麥積山第四窟的建筑是全國各石窟中最大的一座摹仿中國傳統(tǒng)建筑形式的洞窟，是研究北朝木構(gòu)建筑的重要資料，真正如實(shí)地表現(xiàn)了南北朝后期已經(jīng)中國化了的佛殿的外部和內(nèi)部面貌，在石窟發(fā)展史上具有重要的意義。 121窟：
方位：
西崖上層西端。
時(shí)代：
北魏晚期，宋重修。
窟形：
覆斗藻井平面方形窟。窟內(nèi)正、左、右壁開尖拱深龕；窟高2.55米，寬2.36米，深2.15 米。
造像：
三壁龕內(nèi)各塑一佛。正龕內(nèi)左、右壁中門內(nèi)兩側(cè)塑二力士。佛上半身為宋代重塑，下身衣裙搭于座前呈三瓣式下垂，結(jié)跏跌坐于方臺(tái)上，弟子穿袈裟，下著裙。左弟子塔螺旋發(fā)髻。菩薩著褒衣博帶式袈裟。菩薩與弟子緊緊相依，面帶笑意，雙手合掌于胸前，作拍手狀，似在竊竊私語，會(huì)心交談，猶如現(xiàn)實(shí)生活中一對(duì)親姐弟一般，充滿著青春活力與動(dòng)人的情感，使人位感自然與親切。力士頭部宋代重修。左力士袒上身，下著裙，披巾于腹部穿圓、交叉，左手持金剛桿而立，右手提風(fēng)帶，右力士著寬袖上衣，下著長裙，垂手而立，身穿護(hù)身鎧甲，剛健雄武，具有一種威嚴(yán)震懾的氣魄。此窟為北魏晚期代表性重要沿窟之一。
壁畫：佛、菩薩彩繪背光，項(xiàng)光。藻井壁畫，大部剝落，均被煙熏黑，僅飛天飄帶，隱約可見。
篇二：麥積山石窟英語導(dǎo)游詞Maiji Caves
Maiji Caves
Located 45 kilometers (about 28 miles) southeast of Tianshui City in Gansu Province, Maiji Mountain rises up abruptly 142 meters (about 155 yards) from the landscape. The people named the mountain 'Maiji' because it resembles a stack of wheat straw (mai meaning wheat, and ji meaning stack). On the sheer cliff that marks the southwest side of Maiji Mountain, people have labored for centuries carving niches and caves, giving rise to what is known today as the Maiji Caves. Inside the caves are clay statues, whose heights vary from 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) to 15 meters (over 49 feet). Besides 194 Buddhist caves and niches, containing more than 7, 200 clay statues, there are also murals of over 1, 300 square meters (about 1, 555 square yards) in the Maiji Caves as well. These statues are works of art that reflect ancient craftsmanship and dedication to the Buddhist ideal. Rarely can one find caves and statues carved over sheer cliffs in China, and this is one of the most distinguishing features of Maiji Caves. Being carved on the cliff, these caves are connected by plank roads that hang precariously along the face of the cliff. Visitors can only reach each cave by using these plank roads, which offers a breathtaking experience.
Work on the Maiji caves began in the late Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC), progressing through to the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). The Northern Wei
(386 - 534) period was also a time of its great prosperity, and Buddhism began to prevail as a cultural force. Subsequent dynasties added to and sometimes rebuilt the caves according to the styles of the era. Interestingly, although the statues were built at the same location, none of them maintained a similar style with those preceding it. Statues from each dynasty clearly developed distinct elements.
Another curious feature of the statues is their trend toward secularization, that is, a move toward depicting the icons as man rather than god. Except for statues built in the early period, almost all Buddhist statues look affable and accessible. They were no longer gods standing high in the heaven, but rather became more like common people.
Because of its exquisite clay statues and superb sculptural skills, Maiji Caves acquired special recognition. They have been classified as an 'Oriental Statues Exhibition Hall'. Maiji Caves are one of the four most important caves in China. The other threes are Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, Yungang Caves in Datong, Shanxi Province, and Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Henan Province. Their emphasis is on exquisite statues and beautiful natural scenes, while the others' are on florid murals or magnificent stonecutting.
There are other places of interest near Maiji Mountain as well, Xianren Cliff,
Shimen Mountain, Quxi and Maiji Arboretum, all offer fine panoramic views of mountains, rivers and plants in Northwest China.
篇三：麥積山英語導(dǎo)游詞
Maiji Mountain Grottoes
Dear my friends:
Welcome to Tianshui!
The climate of Tianshui is suitable for the survival of mankind. That makes it become a cradle of the Chinese nation. As we know, Fuxi and Nuwa who are the Chinese ancestors lived here. They created the early period of Chinese culture. For the suitable climate, there are many wonderful attractions. This time we will go to Maiji Mountain, and visit Maiji Mountain Grottoes.
Maiji Mountain is located 50 km far from Tianshui just to the south of Maiji Village. It is only 142 meters above the ground, but the altitude of about 2,000 meters above the sea level. It is a single and distinct peak of the xiaolong Mountain of Western Qinling Range. Since it looks like a huge wheat straw pile from afar, it is called Maiji Mountain (the Wheat Straw Pile Mountain). The flouring various plants with clouds wrapping them in a blanket of mist create one of nature’s most majestic sights. In the late of the Western Hang Dynasty, it became the palace of Kui Xiao (隗囂) who is a famous general of Tianshui. The Maiji Mountain Scenic Area was listed as a famous resort under the state protection by the State Council in 1982. And Maiji Mountain Grottoes are the most important area of it, which rank the second in the four well-known grottoes in Gansu Province. (The four well-known grottoes are Mogao Grottoes, Maiji Mountain Grottoes, Bingling Temple Grottoes and Mati Temple Grottoes.)
The grottoes of Maiji Mountain are caved in the cliffs, which are in rows 20 to 30 meters or 70 to 80 meters above the foot of mountain. That makes them look like a huge honeycomb in the distance. The wide of those grottoes which are linked by some dangerous ways is from 3 meters to about 1 meter.
Maiji Mountain Grottoes were first dug in the Qin Dynasty of the Sixteen States Period (about 384 to 417 AD). And the grottoes were cut and repaired in the successive dynasties of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Western Wei Dynasty, the Northern Zhou Dynasty, the Sui Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty, the Five Dynasties, the Song Dynasty, the Yuan Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty. An earthquake which occurred in Tianshui during the Tang Dynasty (734 AD) resulted in collapse of the cliff, and the grottoes were subsequently divided into tow sections: the Eastern and the Western with 54 and 140 grottoes respectively, which were called the Eastern Pavilion and the Western Pavilion during the Five Dynasties.
In the Eastern, there is the Thousands of Buddhism Corridor, the Throwing Flowers Building, the Upper Seven-Buddhism Pavilion, and the Middle Seven-Buddhism Pavilion, and so on. In the Western, there are 3 grottoes which are the most famous. In them, the biggest is the Thousands of Buddhism Pavilion, the second is the Heavenly Cave, and the smallest is the Cave NO.127, which were all cut in 6 AD.
There is a legend associated with the Throwing Flowers Building. It is said that Sakyamuni appeared here to preach. During the first time, there were tens of thousands of disciples in the valley which was under the
Throwing Flowers Building. In order to know whether all of them understand the Buddhist thoughts and tenets, the 28 flying aspara threw different kinds of petals to them. If the disciples understood, the petals would not fall, but fall; if not, the petals would fall. It was surprised that all of the petals rose. Now you can throw some pieces of paper, you will find the pieces rise. Do you know why? Because there is an air current which can make some light things rise.
Though Maiji Mountain Grottoes are suffered many earthquakes and fires, now there are 194 grottoes, more than 7,200 statues and over 1,300 square meters murals. As the stone of Maiji Mountain is unfit for caving, most statues are clay sculptures, but they are quite exquisite. The sculptures are mainly images of Buddha and his disciples, Bodhisattvas, the Heavenly Kings and Vajras. It is surprised that the sculptures have been preserved well, even though the climate is wet in Maiji Mountain.
Like the earliest sculpture of Mogao Grottoes, the grottoes of Maiji Mountain were obviously influenced by the Indian style in 30 caves during the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Western Wei Dynasty and the Northern Zhou Dynasty. By the time of the Song Dynasty, the style was changed greatly due to mixing the Indian culture and the Central Chinese culture. The sculptures wear diverse countenance looking vivid. And the dress of them is soft and natural. In the late period, the style was continuously improved on the basis of the Chinese current culture. So the sculptures are more vivid than before and full of the interest of worldly life. However, since the Northern Wei Dynasty, almost the sculptures bowed their heads, as if they were looking this world. They are the gods, but they look like the human beings.
The grottoes of Maiji Mountain are of high values for the study on politic, economy and culture in ancient China, even though they are the Buddhist arts. The grottoes embody the Chinese national tradition and consciousness, and also have the characteristic of making the form show the spirit. Especially the sculptures of the Sui and Tang Dynasty are full and rounded, and in the Song Dynasty, they are thin, delicate and pretty. Maiji Mountain Grottoes reflect the evolution of the clay sculptures art in China. They are referred to as “the treasure houses of oriental sculptures”.
篇四：麥積山英語導(dǎo)游詞
Maiji Mountain Grottoes
Dear my friends:
Welcome to Tianshui!
The climate of Tianshui is suitable for the survival of mankind. That makes it become a cradle of the Chinese nation. As we know, Fuxi and Nuwa who are the Chinese ancestors lived here. They created the early period of Chinese culture. For the suitable climate, there are many wonderful attractions. This time we will go to Maiji Mountain, and visit Maiji Mountain Grottoes.
Maiji Mountain is located 50 km far from Tianshui just to the south of Maiji Village. It is only 142 meters above the ground, but the altitude of about 2,000 meters above the sea level. It is a single and distinct peak of the xiaolong Mountain of Western Qinling Range. Since it looks like a huge wheat straw pile from afar, it is called Maiji Mountain (the Wheat Straw Pile Mountain). The flouring various plants with clouds wrapping them in a blanket of mist create one of nature’s most majestic sights. In the late of the Western Hang Dynasty, it became the palace of Kui Xiao (隗囂) who is a famous general of Tianshui. The Maiji Mountain Scenic Area was listed as a famous resort under the state protection by the State Council in 1982. And Maiji Mountain Grottoes are the most important area of it, which rank the second in the four well-known grottoes in Gansu Province. (The four well-known grottoes are Mogao Grottoes, Maiji Mountain Grottoes, Bingling Temple Grottoes and Mati Temple Grottoes.)
The grottoes of Maiji Mountain are caved in the cliffs, which are in rows 20 to 30 meters or 70 to 80 meters above the foot of mountain. That makes them look like a huge honeycomb in the distance. The wide of those grottoes which are linked by some dangerous ways is from 3 meters to about 1 meter.
Maiji Mountain Grottoes were first dug in the Qin Dynasty of the Sixteen States Period (about 384 to 417 AD). And the grottoes were cut and repaired in the successive dynasties of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Western Wei Dynasty, the Northern Zhou Dynasty, the Sui Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty, the Five Dynasties, the Song Dynasty, the Yuan Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty. An earthquake which occurred in Tianshui during the Tang Dynasty (734 AD) resulted in collapse of the cliff, and the grottoes were subsequently divided into tow sections: the Eastern and the Western with 54 and 140 grottoes respectively, which were called the Eastern Pavilion and the Western Pavilion during the Five Dynasties.
In the Eastern, there is the Thousands of Buddhism Corridor, the Throwing Flowers Building, the Upper Seven-Buddhism Pavilion, and the Middle Seven-Buddhism Pavilion, and so on. In the Western, there are 3 grottoes which are the most famous. In them, the biggest is the Thousands of Buddhism Pavilion, the second is the Heavenly Cave, and the smallest is the Cave NO.127, which were all cut in 6 AD.
There is a legend associated with the Throwing Flowers Building. It is said that Sakyamuni appeared here to preach. During the first time, there were tens of thousands of disciples in the valley which was under the
Throwing Flowers Building. In order to know whether all of them understand the Buddhist thoughts and tenets, the 28 flying aspara threw different kinds of petals to them. If the disciples understood, the petals would not fall, but fall; if not, the petals would fall. It was surprised that all of the petals rose. Now you can throw some pieces of paper, you will find the pieces rise. Do you know why? Because there is an air current which can make some light things rise.
Though Maiji Mountain Grottoes are suffered many earthquakes and fires, now there are 194 grottoes, more than 7,200 statues and over 1,300 square meters murals. As the stone of Maiji Mountain is unfit for caving, most statues are clay sculptures, but they are quite exquisite. The sculptures are mainly images of Buddha and his disciples, Bodhisattvas, the Heavenly Kings and Vajras. It is surprised that the sculptures have been preserved well, even though the climate is wet in Maiji Mountain.
Like the earliest sculpture of Mogao Grottoes, the grottoes of Maiji Mountain were obviously influenced by the Indian style in 30 caves during the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Western Wei Dynasty and the Northern Zhou Dynasty. By the time of the Song Dynasty, the style was changed greatly due to mixing the Indian culture and the Central Chinese culture. The sculptures wear diverse countenance looking vivid. And the dress of them is soft and natural. In the late period, the style was continuously improved on the basis of the Chinese current culture. So the sculptures are more vivid than before and full of the interest of worldly life. However, since the Northern Wei Dynasty, almost the sculptures bowed their heads, as if they were looking this world. They are the gods, but they look like the human beings.
The grottoes of Maiji Mountain are of high values for the study on politic, economy and culture in ancient China, even though they are the Buddhist arts. The grottoes embody the Chinese national tradition and consciousness, and also have the characteristic of making the form show the spirit. Especially the sculptures of the Sui and Tang Dynasty are full and rounded, and in the Song Dynasty, they are thin, delicate and pretty. Maiji Mountain Grottoes reflect the evolution of the clay sculptures art in China. They are referred to as “the treasure houses of oriental sculptures”.
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