Essay9: Kizil Buddhist Caves

ON THE SECOND DAY of November, in the golden afternoon of autumn, we arrived at the Kizil Caves, the first stop of Buddhism’s transmission to the east. Entering the cave-complex gate, we encountered a statue of Kumarajiva, the tireless translator, responsible for the translation of many Sanskrit Buddhist texts into Chinese. The cliff, rising from the mountainside, housed the Thousand Buddha Caves. Kizil means “red” in Uyghur, and under the sunlight, the mountain appeared reddish, contrasting with the black bronze statues, creating a moment of serene beauty.

After listening to the guide, we ascended the caves, exploring cave numbers 27, 10, and 17 among the more than two hundred and thirty caves. We gained a shallow understanding of the prosperity of commerce and the zenith of Buddhism back then but were deeply moved by the determination of both merchants and monks who endured hardships for different reasons — profit and faith.

Leaving the cave hastily, standing at a high point, we gazed at the statue of Kumarajiva at the crossroads. When viewed from above, his head slightly tilted as if overlooking the sentient beings. When looked up at, his expression was serene, signifying the realisation of “egolessness”. With a robust physique, he was seated on a lotus, his flowing robes balanced strength and softness. To our surprise, the base plaque turned out to be a calligraphy piece by the renowned scholar Feng Qiyong, blending Eastern and Western influences, bridging ancient and modern. 

Photo / 摄影 : YongCM