China, Bezeklik Thousands Caves

The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, located between Turpan and Shanshan in China, are a series of Buddhist grottoes dating from the 5th to 14th centuries. These caves, high on the cliffs of the Flaming Mountains, feature 77 rock-cut caves with murals depicting Buddhas and various cultural figures. The murals vary in quality, with some being masterpieces of religious art. The caves were significant during the West Uyghur kingdom but declined with the rise of Islam. Despite destruction and looting, the remaining murals and inscriptions offer valuable insights into the region's history and culture.

Where are the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves located?

• In the Taklamakan Desert near Gaochang

• In the Gobi Desert near Dunhuang

• In the Himalayas near Lhasa

• In the Yellow River Valley near Xi'an

What is unique about the murals in the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves?

• They include figures from various cultures

• They depict only Chinese figures

• They are carved into the rock

• They are all painted in black and white

What is the Praņidhi Scene in the context of the Bezeklik murals?

• A depiction of the Buddha's enlightenment

• A scene showing Sakyamuni's promise from his past life

• A mural of the Uyghur royal family

• A landscape painting of the Flaming Mountains

What led to the decline of Buddhism in Turpan?

• The introduction of Islam

• The invasion by Mongols

• The collapse of the Tang dynasty

• The rise of Confucianism

What do the inscriptions in the Bezeklik Caves provide?

• A map of the ancient Uyghur State

• A list of the cave's treasures

• Authentic references for historical research

• A guide to the murals