Xiangtangshan is beautiful in its imperfections

During the Northern Qi period, Ye (southwest of Linzhang County, Hebei Province) was the capital, with Jinyang (present-day Taiyuan, Shanxi) as the secondary capital. Gushan is located at one of the eight passes of the Taihang Mountains, Fuxiu Pass, where the mountains are clear, the water is beautiful, and the stone quality is excellent. The Northern Qi Emperor Gao Yang, who revered Buddhism, ordered the carving of stone grottoes, the construction of an imperial palace, and the building of temples here, so that he could retreat from the heat, enjoy himself, and worship Buddha while traveling between Jinyang and Ye. Today, the emperor's palace has long since vanished, and the temples are in ruins, but the Buddha niches and statues carved into the rock walls have been preserved. The sculptures of Buddhas and flowers here are beautiful and elegant, and their carving art is a bridge between the past and the future. It is a treasure trove of artistic wonders that should have marked a transitional phase in the history of Chinese grotto art from Datong's Yungang to Luoyang's Longmen. However, as one walks in front of the caves and behind the mountains, the sight of the headless, armless, shoulderless, legless, or completely defaced Buddha statues evokes much regret and heartache. Walking along, sighing... A companion tried to console me by saying that perhaps it is because of their brokenness that they have been preserved. At least for now, we can still see so much. Well, after experiencing sadness, acceptance, and release, I once again quietly appreciate the beauty of each and every corner, despite its imperfections...