Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/North Binyang Cave

North Binyang Cave

North Binyang Cave (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) – (View log | edits since nomination)

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Unsourced since 2004. Fails WP:GNG. Suggest a merge or redirect to Longmen Grottoes per WP:ATD / WP:PAGEDECIDE. 4meter4 (talk) 16:42, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

• Note: This discussion has been included in the list of China-related deletion discussions. 4meter4 (talk) 16:42, 9 February 2026 (UTC)
• Note: This discussion has been included in the list of Geography-related deletion discussions. Shellwood (talk) 17:08, 9 February 2026 (UTC)
• Comment Thoughts on a bundle of this article + South Binyang Cave + Middle Binyang Cave (which have 0 & 1 source respectively)? Jumpytoo Talk 06:10, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

  I would support if there was sufficient verification, but right now sourcing seems to be an issue that would suggest all should be redirected. -- Lenny Marks (talk) 19:28, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

• Keep per the significant coverage in multiple independent reliable sources.
  1. 龙门石窟 [Longmen Grottoes] (in Chinese). Vol. 2. Beijing: Wenwu Chubanshe. 1991. p. 179. ISBN 978-7-5010-0306-8. Retrieved 2026-02-14 – via Google Books.

     The book notes: "(三)宾阳北洞宾阳北洞是北魏永平中,中尹腾奏为世宗皇帝营造的石窟,但未完工。今洞内可见的北魏遗迹有三:一、窟顶有大莲花藻井十身飞天(插图一九) ;二、北壁壁脚刻五身神王,南壁壁脚现存三身,另二身已毁,共为十神三、窟门北侧下部有北魏造像残记一段,宽 14 、高 9 厘米。文云: “长从人苏......贵令胡............等于此敬( ? ) ......苏玄德”。洞内南北两壁现存八个造像龛。从造像形制上观察,都是永徽至乾封年间(公元 650 ~ 668 年)所造。窟门通道北侧的一身立佛像,高约 2 米,风化严重,约是中宗、玄宗时造。该洞正壁一铺大像及前壁的浮雕天王,应是同一时期所作。我们试以宾阳南洞、宾阳北洞和潜溪寺的三组大像作比较,就会看到三者渐次演变的情况:一、主像面相由方圆[如宾阳南、北洞(插图七、二〇) ]到椭圆[如潜溪寺(插图二一) ]。佛的身躯由挺直(如宾阳南洞)而略显胸部(如宾阳北洞)到刻出线条的双乳(如潜溪寺)。"

     From Google Translate: "(III) Binyang North Cave Binyang North Cave is a grotto built by Zhongyin Teng during the Yongping era of the Northern Wei Dynasty for Emperor Shizong, but it was never completed. Three Northern Wei relics are visible in the cave today: 1. A large lotus-shaped ceiling with ten flying apsaras (Illustration 19); 2. Five divine kings carved at the base of the north wall, and three remaining at the base of the south wall, with the other two destroyed, totaling ten gods; 3. A fragment of a Northern Wei inscription, 14 cm wide and 9 cm high, on the lower part of the north side of the cave entrance. The inscription reads: “Chang Cong Ren Su…Gui Ling Hu…Equal to this respect (?)…Su Xuande.” Eight niches containing statues remain on the north and south walls of the cave. Judging from the style of the statues, they were all created between the Yonghui and Qianfeng eras (650-668 AD). A standing Buddha statue on the north side of the cave entrance passage, about 2 meters high, is severely weathered and is believed to have been created during the reigns of Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Xuanzong. The large statue on the main wall of the cave and the relief of the Heavenly Kings on the front wall should have been made in the same period. If we compare the three groups of large statues in Binyang South Cave, Binyang North Cave, and Qianxi Temple, we can see the gradual evolution of the three: First, the face of the main statue changed from square to round [as in Binyang South and North Caves (Illustrations 7.20)] to oval [as in Qianxi Temple (Illustration 21)]. The body of the Buddha changed from upright (as in Binyang South Cave) to slightly showing the chest (as in Binyang North Cave) to having carved lines on the breasts (as in Qianxi Temple)."

  2. 中國考古集成 [Chinese Archaeological Compendium] (in Chinese). Zhengzhou: Zhongzhou Ancient Books Publishing House [zh]. 1999. p. 1439. ISBN 978-7-5348-1836-3. Retrieved 2026-02-14 – via Google Books.

     The book notes: "关于宾阳北洞的营造年代,还是一个尚待进—步考证的问题。这里只能就一些现象作一点肤浅的分析。宾阳北洞的结构布局和宾阳南洞大体一致,略有不同。两洞都以阿弥陀为主佛、二弟子、二协侍菩萨。宾阳北洞主佛面相方圆,胸部明显隆起,线条较南洞流畅柔和,系圆刀刻法。佛座呈方形,比南洞佛座多三个托坛力士,其形象又与奉先寺卢舍那佛座上的托坛力士相像。在南洞力士的位置上,北洞雕刻的是二天王的浅线雕,其形体风格又和敬善寺的天王浮雕近似。五尊大像的背光,以及窟顶莲花宝盖和伎乐天人均非浮雕而系绘画(抑或当时工程未竟,绘画为后人所加)。洞中小龛若干,均无造像题记和纪年。从总的风格看,宾阳北洞的造像年代似乎应该比南洞要晚,但也不会比敬善寺更晚。"

     From Google Translate: "The construction date of the Binyang North Cave remains a question awaiting further investigation. Here, we can only offer a superficial analysis of some phenomena. The structural layout of the Binyang North Cave is largely consistent with that of the Binyang South Cave, with slight differences. Both caves feature Amitabha as the main Buddha, two disciples, and two attendant bodhisattvas. The main Buddha in the Binyang North Cave has a square face and a noticeably protruding chest, with smoother and softer lines than in the South Cave, carved using a round-knife technique. The Buddha's seat is square, with three more supporting figures than the South Cave's seat, and their images resemble those of the supporting figures on the Vairocana Buddha seat at Fengxian Temple. In the positions of the supporting figures in the South Cave, the North Cave features shallow line carvings of two Heavenly Kings, whose style is similar to the Heavenly King reliefs at Jingshan Temple. The halos behind the five large statues, as well as the lotus canopy and celestial musicians on the cave ceiling, are not reliefs but paintings (or perhaps the project was unfinished at the time, and the paintings were added later). There are several small niches in the cave, none of which have inscriptions or dates. Judging from the overall style, the statues in Binyang North Cave seem to be later than those in South Cave, but not later than those in Jingshan Temple."

  3. Wu, Xuede 邬学德 (2001). 河南古代建筑史 [(Henan Ancient Architecture History] (in Chinese). Zhengzhou: Zhongzhou Ancient Books Publishing House [zh]. p. 108. ISBN 978-7-5348-2078-6. Retrieved 2026-02-14 – via Google Books.

     The book notes: "宾阳北洞建于永平年间(公元 508 ~ 512 年) ,进深 12.6 米,宽 10 米,高 10 米,穹窿顶,地面饰以莲花图案,造像为一佛、二弟子、二菩萨、二天王。本尊阿弥陀佛,高 7.55 米。洞口门槛两端为狮头门墩。宾阳南洞为同期工程,进深 11.80 米,宽 8.70 米,高 9.80 米。造像为一佛、二弟子、二菩萨,雕造年代说法不一,有说隋代、有说唐贞观十五年魏王李泰在原像基础上续成。三洞营造历时 24 年。"

     From Google Translate: "The Binyang North Cave was built during the Yongping era (508-512 AD). It is 12.6 meters deep, 10 meters wide, and 10 meters high, with a domed ceiling and lotus flower patterns on the floor. The statues depict one Buddha, two disciples, two Bodhisattvas, and two Heavenly Kings. The main statue, Amitabha Buddha, is 7.55 meters tall. The entrance threshold has lion-head door piers at both ends. The Binyang South Cave was built at the same time, 11.80 meters deep, 8.70 meters wide, and 9.80 meters high. It also contains one Buddha, two disciples, and two Bodhisattvas. The date of its creation is debated; some say it dates to the Sui Dynasty, while others say it was completed in the fifteenth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty by Prince Wei, Li Tai, based on the original statues. The construction of the three caves took 24 years."

  4. 佛教石窟考古概要 [Overview of Buddhist Grotto Archaeology] (in Chinese). Beijing: Wenwu Chubanshe. 1993. p. 143. ISBN 978-7-5010-0658-8. Retrieved 2026-02-14 – via Google Books.

     The book notes: "宾阳北洞上方一个小洞里凿一佛二弟子三像,结跏趺坐佛,右手上画 5 道线(放射状) , 5 道线之中分别刻出了飞天(天)、奔马(畜生)、俯鬼(恶鬼) ,合十者(人)和地狱。宾阳北洞这个像无题记,根据图像判断叫五道转轮王或叫卢舍那人中像,这是中原地区不多见的。此像的时代,根据窟形和造像风格是唐高宗前期。"

     From Google Translate: "In a small cave above the Binyang North Cave, a Buddha and two disciples are carved. The Buddha sits in the lotus position, with five radiating lines on his right hand. Within these lines are carved flying apsaras (heavenly beings), galloping horses (animals), demons (evil spirits), figures with hands clasped (humans), and figures from hell. This image in the Binyang North Cave has no inscription, but based on the image, it is identified as the Five-Path Wheel-Turning King or the Vairocana Buddha image, which is rare in the Central Plains region. Based on the cave shape and the style of the sculpture, this image dates to the early Tang Dynasty, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong."

  5. Tang, Yunyun 唐云云, ed. (2014-05-05). "龙门石窟"剪刀手"卖萌佛像走红 专家:属巧合(图)" [Longmen Grottoes "V-Sign" Cute Buddha Statue Goes Viral; Expert: It's Just a Coincidence (Photos)]. Orient Today [zh] (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2026-02-14. Retrieved 2026-02-14 – via China News Service.

     The article notes: "“剪刀手”佛像位于“宾阳三洞”中的宾阳北洞，高约10米，结跏趺坐，双手平分指天地。据导游介绍，宾阳三洞始凿于北魏，原名“灵岩寺”，明清后易名“宾阳洞”，分为宾阳南洞、宾阳中洞、宾阳北洞。资料记载，宾阳北洞始凿于北魏，完工于唐代初年，洞中布局与南洞大体一致。 记者注意到，由于几天来网络的快速传播，很多游客都知道龙门石窟有个卖萌的“剪刀手佛像”，因此游客来到宾阳北洞时驻足的时间明显要长一些，大家或拍照留念，或比划学习千余年前的“剪刀手”手势。导游在解说时，也总是借机幽默几句。"

     From Google Translate: "The "V-sign" Buddha statue is located in the Binyang North Cave, one of the "Binyang Three Caves." Standing approximately 10 meters tall, it sits in the lotus position with its hands outstretched, pointing towards heaven and earth. According to the tour guide, the Binyang Three Caves were first carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty and were originally named "Lingyan Temple." They were renamed "Binyang Caves" after the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and consist of the Binyang South Cave, Binyang Middle Cave, and Binyang North Cave. Historical records indicate that the Binyang North Cave was first carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty and completed in the early Tang Dynasty. Its layout is largely the same as the South Cave. The reporter noticed that due to the rapid spread of information online over the past few days, many tourists knew about the adorable "V-sign" Buddha statue at the Longmen Grottoes. Therefore, tourists lingered longer at the Binyang North Cave, taking photos or mimicking the "V-sign" gesture from over a thousand years ago. The tour guide also frequently made humorous remarks during the explanation."

  6. Wang, Dong (2020). Longmen's Stone Buddhas and Cultural Heritage. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 111–112, 153. ISBN 978-1-5381-4111-3. Retrieved 2026-02-14 – via Google Books.

     The book notes: Chavannes erred due to his overreliance on the stone inscriptions on site when referring to the Binyang trio cave chapels. The construction of the three Binyang Caves (North, Central, and South) all began in the Northern Wei dynasty (386-534); ... the Central and South Binyang Caves started in 500 and the North Binyang Cave was added between 508 and 511. Only the Central Binyang Cave was, for the most part, completed in 520 during the Northern Wei; the other two caves were unfinished. The North Binyang Cave chapel was largely constructed between 650 and 683 during the Tang dynasty, whereas renewed work on the South Binyang Cave was conducted probably between 616 and 673; the main figures and niches were completed then."

  7. Boulanger, Robert (1989). Les Guides Bleus: China. New York: Prentice Hall. p. 531. ISBN 978-0-13-132713-9. Retrieved 2026-02-14 – via Google Books.

     The book notes: "North Binyang Cave. Facing as if to 'welcome the sun' (Binyang), this cave was dug out under the Northern Wei, but its sculptures date from the Tang period, about 640–650. Note at the entrance two celestial guardians, then at the back a great statue of the Buddha seated, 25½ft (7.55m) high, between two arhat and two bodhisattvas."

  There is sufficient coverage in reliable sources to allow North Binyang Cave (simplified Chinese: 宾阳北洞; traditional Chinese: 賓陽北洞; pinyin: Bīnyáng Běi Dòng) to pass Wikipedia:Notability#General notability guideline, which requires "significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject".

  Cunard (talk) 11:25, 15 February 2026 (UTC)

• Comment: I expanded the article. Previously, there were zero sources. Now there are seven sources. Cunard (talk) 11:25, 15 February 2026 (UTC)
• Withdraw per WP:HEY. @Cunard: Nice rescue!4meter4 (talk) 12:51, 15 February 2026 (UTC)
• Oppose per WP:HEY, thanks Cunard. Randy Kryn (talk) 10:16, 16 February 2026 (UTC)

The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.