The Chang mo Grottoes in Dinggyê County, Tibet

Abstract

Abstract On August 19 through 25, 2011, Cultural Relics Conservation Institute of Tibet Autonomous Region and the China Tibetology Research Center made systematic surveys to the three grottoes in Zone I of Chang mo Grottoes. The Grotto 1 in Zone I is a single-chamber statue grotto in Ω-shaped plan, on the west, north and south walls of which clay sculptures and murals are found. Grotto 2 is a multi-chamber grotto, in which remains of clay sculptures and murals are found. Grotto 3 consists of two adjacent single-chamber grottoes, in both of which only murals are found. The discovery of this grotto group has very important reference values to the researches on the developments of the early Buddhism and Buddhist art in Tibet, even the progress of the Tibetan social history in the early Second Propagation of Buddhism. The sculptural format of Vajradhatu Mandala in these grottoes provided precious materials for the researches on the diffusion of Vajradhatu Mandala in Tibet, the development of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism and other relevant issues.