A Study on the Carved Pagoda of Longmen Grottoes in China

Longmen Grottoes, one of China's three major cave temples alongside Dunhuang and Yungang, contains a significant number of carved pagodas that reflect the evolving styles and techniques prevalent during their construction periods. These pagodas, predominantly from the late 5th to late 7th centuries, serve as crucial artifacts for understanding the development of early Chinese pagoda craftsmanship and its potential influence on Korean pagoda origins. The study highlights that Longmen Grottoes, initiated during the Northern Wei dynasty's Sinicization policies in 494 AD, saw the most extensive carving activity during the Tang dynasty, with a concentration of caves from this period. This makes it an invaluable site for analyzing the stylistic and technical evolution of pagodas, providing insights into both Chinese and Korean Buddhist art traditions.

Eom, G. P. (2023). A Study on the Carved Pagoda of Longmen Grottoes in China. The Journal of Northeast Asia Ancient History, 9, 203–238. https://doi.org/10.47527/jnah.2023.08.9.203