The Differences between Maijishan Grotto and Xiangtangshan Grotto

Maijishan Grotto (in the present western part of Gansu province) and Xiangtangshan Grotto (in the present eastern part ofHebei province) represent the cultural centre of western China and eastern China respectively when the country was in divisionduring the period of the South Dynasty and the North Dynasty. As are reflected in these two grottoes, the differences in structure,themes layout and Buddhist dressing, etc. indicate that the developments of Buddhism in western China and eastern China wereuneven. These differences are created by three factors, the time and amount of Nan Dynasty influence on these two grottoes, theinclination to hold on to their own trajectories and the influence of Eastern Wei Dynasty in late Northern Dynasty.