Narrative Integration: An In-Depth Exploration of the “Buddha Story Stele” in the Maiji Mountain Grottoes

This research delves into the intricacies of the “Buddha Story Stele” in Cave 133 of the Maiji Mountain Grottoes, China, examining the sculptural combinations and conceptual nuances rooted in Buddhist culture from the 5th to the 6th centuries CE. The research focuses on discerning the identities of...

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Main Authors: Zejie Lin, Zhijun Li, Meizi Xie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-02-01
Series:Religions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/3/254
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author Zejie Lin
Zhijun Li
Meizi Xie
author_facet Zejie Lin
Zhijun Li
Meizi Xie
author_sort Zejie Lin
collection DOAJ
description This research delves into the intricacies of the “Buddha Story Stele” in Cave 133 of the Maiji Mountain Grottoes, China, examining the sculptural combinations and conceptual nuances rooted in Buddhist culture from the 5th to the 6th centuries CE. The research focuses on discerning the identities of the “Two Adjacent-Seated Buddhas” and the Cross-Legged Bodhisattva carved on the stele, concurrently delving into the embedded symbolic significance within its structural composition. Our investigation posits that the upper, middle, and lower segments of the “Buddha Story Stele” respectively symbolize the post-Nirvana Dharmakāya Shakyamuni, the Bodhisattva Shakyamuni, and the Buddha Shakyamuni of Sumedha. Advancing scholarly discourse, it reevaluates the Cross-Legged Bodhisattva’s identity and the configuration of the “Two Adjacent-Seated Buddhas”, elucidating the interplay of imagery and conceptual themes. This study provides pivotal insights into the sculptural arrangement and religious thought transmission in the Maiji Mountain Grottoes, contributing significant academic and cultural value to preserve this unique heritage.
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spelling doaj.art-584b50966fa94144aeda637c5f61fe172024-03-27T14:02:03ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442024-02-0115325410.3390/rel15030254Narrative Integration: An In-Depth Exploration of the “Buddha Story Stele” in the Maiji Mountain GrottoesZejie Lin0Zhijun Li1Meizi Xie2School of Humanities, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of History and Culture, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, ChinaSchool of Humanities, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaThis research delves into the intricacies of the “Buddha Story Stele” in Cave 133 of the Maiji Mountain Grottoes, China, examining the sculptural combinations and conceptual nuances rooted in Buddhist culture from the 5th to the 6th centuries CE. The research focuses on discerning the identities of the “Two Adjacent-Seated Buddhas” and the Cross-Legged Bodhisattva carved on the stele, concurrently delving into the embedded symbolic significance within its structural composition. Our investigation posits that the upper, middle, and lower segments of the “Buddha Story Stele” respectively symbolize the post-Nirvana Dharmakāya Shakyamuni, the Bodhisattva Shakyamuni, and the Buddha Shakyamuni of Sumedha. Advancing scholarly discourse, it reevaluates the Cross-Legged Bodhisattva’s identity and the configuration of the “Two Adjacent-Seated Buddhas”, elucidating the interplay of imagery and conceptual themes. This study provides pivotal insights into the sculptural arrangement and religious thought transmission in the Maiji Mountain Grottoes, contributing significant academic and cultural value to preserve this unique heritage.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/3/254religious iconographyChinese Buddhist artcave art interpretationTwo Adjacent-Seated BuddhasCross-Legged BodhisattvaMaiji Mountain Grottoes
spellingShingle Zejie Lin
Zhijun Li
Meizi Xie
Narrative Integration: An In-Depth Exploration of the “Buddha Story Stele” in the Maiji Mountain Grottoes
Religions
religious iconography
Chinese Buddhist art
cave art interpretation
Two Adjacent-Seated Buddhas
Cross-Legged Bodhisattva
Maiji Mountain Grottoes
title Narrative Integration: An In-Depth Exploration of the “Buddha Story Stele” in the Maiji Mountain Grottoes
title_full Narrative Integration: An In-Depth Exploration of the “Buddha Story Stele” in the Maiji Mountain Grottoes
title_fullStr Narrative Integration: An In-Depth Exploration of the “Buddha Story Stele” in the Maiji Mountain Grottoes
title_full_unstemmed Narrative Integration: An In-Depth Exploration of the “Buddha Story Stele” in the Maiji Mountain Grottoes
title_short Narrative Integration: An In-Depth Exploration of the “Buddha Story Stele” in the Maiji Mountain Grottoes
title_sort narrative integration an in depth exploration of the buddha story stele in the maiji mountain grottoes
topic religious iconography
Chinese Buddhist art
cave art interpretation
Two Adjacent-Seated Buddhas
Cross-Legged Bodhisattva
Maiji Mountain Grottoes
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/3/254
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AT zhijunli narrativeintegrationanindepthexplorationofthebuddhastorysteleinthemaijimountaingrottoes
AT meizixie narrativeintegrationanindepthexplorationofthebuddhastorysteleinthemaijimountaingrottoes