The May Day holiday is approaching, come and visit the Maijishan Grottoes to admire the Buddha statues

Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui, Gansu, is one of the four famous grottoes in China, named for its resemblance to a stack of wheat straw. Amidst the continuous green mountains, the Maijishan stands out with its steep cliffs on all sides, covered with green trees at the top. One cannot help but admire the natural wonder shaped by the forces of nature. Today, we will focus on admiring several Buddha statues. The Serene Buddha. This Buddha statue leans against the cave wall, with a painted ruyi cloud pattern behind it. Although the mural is peeling, the vibrant colors are still striking. The Buddha wears a hat and is draped in a kasaya. The face is full and well-defined, with slightly open eyes looking diagonally to the left front. The right arm is bent and raised, with the palm facing out. The statue has smooth lines and is well-proportioned. The Dharma Transmission Buddha. This Buddha statue wears a red and blue robe and a pointed hat. With a straight nose and square mouth, the corners of the mouth are slightly raised, looking straight ahead with a resolute gaze. The Buddha's ears are clear in outline, plump, soft, and perfectly curved, with long round earlobes. The posture is upright and majestic. The Demon-Subduing Buddha. This Buddha statue has a unique and relaxed sitting posture, with the left leg hanging down, foot pressing on a lotus flower, and the left hand supporting from behind; the right leg is raised and bent in a squatting position, with the right hand resting on the knee, looking straight ahead. The Preaching Buddha. The Buddha statue wears a hat and has kind eyebrows and benevolent eyes. The face is full and round, with a slight smile. The Buddha is draped in a robe that is wide and flowing, with clear and casual folds, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of the artisans. The Tranquil Buddha. This is the most beautiful Buddha statue. The face is serene, with a slight smile. With curved eyebrows and delicate eyes, the gaze is lowered, the nose bridge is high and straight, and the corners of the mouth are upturned, dignified and elegant, gentle and beautiful, like a tranquil lotus flower, embodying wisdom and tolerance. After a long gaze, one feels inner peace and lightness, as if the clouds are light and the breeze is gentle. According to records, the Maijishan Grottoes were first constructed during the Later Qin period of the Sixteen Kingdoms, and have undergone excavation and renovation over more than 1600 years through the Northern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. There are currently 221 caves, 3938 statues in 10632 figures, and 979.54 square meters of murals. The Maijishan Grottoes provide rich materials and historical records for future generations to study Chinese Buddhist culture.