The Stone Buddha Sits in Silence for a Thousand Years

Hidden within the mountains of Guyuan, Ningxia, the Xumi Mountain Grottoes exude an aura of reverence upon first sight. Built into the mountainside, ancient Buddhas sit serenely on the cliff face, their eyes cast downward in peaceful contemplation. Weathered by wind and rain, their faces bear the marks of time, yet their divine presence remains undiminished, as if silently guarding the impermanence and vicissitudes of the human world. Standing at the feet of the statues, gazing up at their towering forms, the only sounds I could hear were the wind and my own breath. In that moment, time seemed to stand still. I couldn't help but wonder about the mindset of the artisans who carved such sacred figures a thousand years ago. Xumi Mountain is not merely a grotto; it is a path leading deep into the soul. It taught me that faith is never ostentatious—it resides quietly within the rocks, radiating light in its silence.