[caption id="attachment_1204" align="alignright" width="199" caption="Cave 20, Yungang "]<a href="http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/buddha.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1204" src="http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/buddha-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

The final piece of art I would like to preserve in my time capsule is a Chinese sculpture. Cave 20 of the Yungang Caves is a massive stone sculpture carved in sandstone. It was created as a holy site of Buddhist pilgrimage. The size and attention to the astounding detail lend to this sculpture's beauty. I believe this masterpiece should be preserved for the future generation because it details the Chinese ideas of religion and is a monument to their faith.

During the fifth century in China, many rich and influential members of this society ordered the commission of the arts. There have been suggestions that the 16-20 Yungang Caves had some political motives behind their commission. The mere size of these statues could symbolize a sense of imperial power. (howard)<!--more-->

This is considered a worship site of the Buddhist religion. Buddhism was founded by a mystic called Siddhartha Gautama, popularly renamed Buddha. The religion remains defined by
"the diverse acts and thinking of the followers of Buddha"( bailey, 221)
These followers were to become known as the bodhisattvas. The basic fundamentals of the religion is transmigration, karma, meditation, enlightment and ultimately reaching nirvana. (bailey)

Caves 16-20 are sometimes referred to as the Tanyao Five. This was in reference to the Monk Tanyao who oversaw their construction. They were commissioned by 3 sects of Northern Wei.  (huo) It is believed to be in memorial of former emperors. This was done because of ancestor worship established by Buddhist tradition. Cave 18-20 are the first to be built and their attached symbolism of the Buddhas are assumed to represent the Past, Present, and Future. (howard)

Cave 20 originally had three buddhas, two flanking the center statue. There were two representations of 2 smaller bodhisattvas. Unfortunately, due to the severe wear of the elements, only the center buddha and one of the bodhisattvas survived the ages. (howard) The faces have been partially restored but held to a non Chinese physiognomy. This was influenced by their predecessors of Dunhuang. (web art-arch.com) It is believe it was commissioned by Emperor Wengeng. The reason for this had been thought of as perhaps his act of atonement for the persecutions he had committed. (huo)

Cave 20 can be compared with the Dunghuang grottos. This is popularly known as The Caves ofthe Thousand Buddhas (Mogao Caves). It was an important stopping point along the Silk Road. (columbia) The patronage of these caves were merchants, local rulers and religious travelers. This was done to support the monastic community for over 1000 years. The reasons of why the caves were commissioned varied. Religious protection, giving thanks, and to earn religious merits are just a few.(asian art video)This site is known for it's painted murals and colored sculptures.(ziying)

Though Cave 20 and the Dunhuang grottoes both are religious pilgrimage sites related to the Buddhist beliefs and traditions, there are a few differences. The Tanyao Five were commissioned for political reasons by political leaders, meanwhile the Dunhuang patronage scoped the entire community. Though it took a mere 64 years to complete the Tanyao Five, the works at Dunhuang continued on for about 1000 years. The main difference is size. Though Dunhuang has the many caves, Cave 20 stands out because of it's colossal size.

Because of the sites location on the famous Silk Road, these were trade routes that connected China with the West, these sites along the way helped spread Buddhism throughout China and the Western world. These were not merely just symbols of Buddhism, but had the responsibility to
"demonstrate China's import of foreign religions aesthetics as much as the wealth generated by its export of silk." (gardner)

Today, the Yungang caves are still among the holiest of sites for Buddhist pilgrims. Frommer's tour book states that "is the most significant site of Buddhist statuary in all of China."(frommer 298) The site is one of the best curated sites with regular daily tours. Though there are four hundred, ninety two caves, you will be able to see less than 10 of these magnificent caves on your two hour tour. (frommer)
This massive cave that is designated as a holy site, I believe, cannot have it's desired impression without a first hand experience. Though I don't connect with the religious aspect of this sculpture, I am totally in awe of this gigantic masterpiece. I believe that future generations can take from this sculpture the human's capabilities of artistic creation when it's fueled by faith.

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"Dunhuang." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition (2010): 1. Middle Search Plus. EBSCO. Web. 2 May 2011.

Howard, Angela Falco. Chinese Sculpture. New Haven: Yale UP, 2006. Print.

Bailey, Lee Worth., and Emily Taitz. Introduction to the World's Major Religions. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2006. Print.

ZIYING. "Yungang’s Treasure." :: Buddhist Travel ::. 12 Mar. 2008. Web. 02 May 2011.
http://www.buddhistravel.com/index.php?id=66,661,0,0,1,0&gt;

"Yungang Grottoes, Datong." Art History Timelines, Resources, and Images. June 2009. Web. 02 May 2011. &lt;http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/china/datong/yg02.html&gt;.

Gardner, Helen, La Croix, Horst. De, and Richard G. Tansey. Gardner's Art through the Ages. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1980. Print.

Chinese Buddhist Cave Shrine. Asian Art Museum, 2009. Web. &lt;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH3X1H6pYjY&amp;feature=player_embedded&gt;.

Huo, Jianying. "Yungang Grottoes and Buddhist Restoration." China Today 56.6 (2007): 66-70. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 2 May 2011.