This is the second of a six-part series by CGTN looking at the Yungang Caves, the earliest of the Buddhist cave complexes in China. It explores in more detail the earliest of the Caves, numbered as 16-20.
There are various theories about which were built first, why the placement is as it is, and who the Buddha likenesses indicate. The general idea, however, that the five main Buddha statues in these caves represent five emperors is not in doubt. The film explores the relationship between the Chinese and Gandhāran forms of the Buddha statue.
The film also looks into the matter of why one of the Caves is open, letting the Buddha look out on the approaching visitor, while the others are closed and can only be seen from close up and below. With the help of scholars and historical records the film tries to answer some of these questions.
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