-The Buddha is arranged as if on an altar of a temple, deeply se into the rock face -Vairocana Buddha is flanked by monk attendants, bodhisattvas, and guardians; perhaps a portrait of Wu Zetain -The figures have elongated legs and exaggerated poses -Sculptures and reliefs are carved from the existing rock–some colossal, some small. -Realistic musculature of the heavenly guardians shows them as able protectors and defenders of the faith.
--Inscription states that Empress Wu Zetain was the principal patroness of the site and that she used her private funds to finance the project. -More than 2300 caves and niches are carved along the banks of the Yi River -Documents attest that 8000000 people worked on the site, they produced 11000 Buddhist stone statues, more than 60 stupas, and 2800 inscriptions on steles.
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