Anyang | Lingquan Temple Grottoes, pagoda niches all over the mountains

|Lingquan Temple Grottoes, with pagoda niches scattered all over the mountains. Lingquan Temple Grottoes, located in Anyang City. Formerly known as Baoshan Temple, it was founded by Master Daoping of the Eastern Wei Dynasty in 546. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Baoshan Temple was renamed Lingquan Temple. The entire grotto complex covers a large area, with more than 200 grotto statues and cliff stone pagodas from the Eastern Wei Dynasty to the Song Dynasty. It is recommended to browse a more concentrated area first, including: the Twin Towers of the Tang Dynasty, the Twin Steles of the Northern Qi Dynasty, the Twin Towers of the Northern Qi Dynasty, the Pagoda Forest, the Dazhusheng Grottoes, and the Wanfo Valley. If you still have time and energy after visiting, you can go to the Daliusheng Grottoes and the Lanfeng Mountain Grottoes in the other direction. Twin Towers of the Tang Dynasty In the newly built Lingquan Temple, the two towers are similar in shape, both are nine-story dense-eaves attic-style stone towers. There are carvings of musicians in the pot doors on all four sides of the tower base, playing different instruments and in different postures. There are two muscular strongmen on both sides of the front door of the tower body, with a distinct Tang Dynasty style. The Twin Stele of Northern Qi On the slope next to the new temple, there is severe damage and the words are difficult to discern. They are the Buddhist stele engraved by Lou Rui of the Northern Qi Dynasty and the Avatamsaka Sutra stele. Japanese Northern Qi Twin Towers It is said that these twin towers were built as body cremation towers by Master Lingyu, a disciple of Master Daoping. An inscription of "March 17, the second year of the Qing Dynasty in Daqihe" can be vaguely seen on the tower bodies. They are the earliest stone towers in China. In the courtyard next to them is a flesh-and-blood statue of Taoist Master Wu Yunqing, with his hair and beard still preserved. Tallinn It is the cemetery for the deceased eminent monks of Lingquan Temple. A relatively precious item is a stele of Master Xuanlin from the Tang Dynasty, which contains rare records of the monks' martial arts, and the writing style is running cursive, which is very elegant. Dazhu Sheng Cave It was excavated during the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty. The cave enshrines the Three Buddhas, with Vairocana Buddha being the main deity, expressing the hope for the eternal existence of Buddhism. There are two guardian statues carved on both sides of the cave door. The one on the east side is "God King Naloyana" (also known as this in the nickname of Emperor Wen of Sui Yang Jian), and the one on the west side is "God King Kapilavastu". The two statues have smooth carvings and relaxed postures. An inscription can be found on the upper right side of the Lord Naloyana: The Dazhu Holy Cave was excavated in the ninth year of Kaihuang. There are also exquisite flying reliefs on the ceiling of the cave, 24 statues of holy teachers are carved on the inner wall on the east side of the cave door, and scriptures are carved on the inner wall on the west side of the cave door. Wanfogou There are pagoda niches all over the mountain, so it is called Wanfo Valley. The shapes of the niches are generally similar, and there are many of them. Be careful not to miss any. Many of the little figures carved on the niches are very cute, and there are also niches in Tang Dynasty style architecture. Daliu Sheng Grottoes You need to climb a mountain. Currently, only the inscription "Da Liusheng Cave" remains on the inside, and the cave is empty. ⑧ Caves in Lanfeng Mountain Area After visiting the Daliusheng Grotto, walk up. It is completely different from the Wanfo Valley in temperament. The rock is white in color and all of them are pagodas for Buddhist nuns to die for. Most of them were carved during the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty. There are many well-preserved female images with stools in front of them, and some of them even have Buddhist beads clearly visible. Standing at this high point, you can overlook the two mountains and feel the breeze, which is very pleasant.