Empress Wu and the Longmen Grottoes

Wu Zetian, the only female emperor of China, strategically built Buddhist temples across her empire to gain allies among the common people. The Longmen Grottoes, located 250 miles east of her capital, are key to understanding her power. These sacred caves house over 100,000 Buddha figures, with the tallest commissioned by Wu Zetian herself. The statue is believed to be modeled on her face, symbolizing her power and dominance. By embedding herself into Buddhism, she positioned herself at the center of religious and societal action, leaving a lasting legacy.

What was one of Empress Wu's strategies to gain support from the common people?

• Building Confucian schools

• Constructing Buddhist temples

• Establishing trade routes

• Promoting Taoism

Where are the Longmen Grottoes located?

• Shanxi Province

• Henan Province

• Sichuan Province

• Guangdong Province

What did members of the elite in Chinese society do at the Longmen Grottoes?

• Donated gold

• Built large temples

• Wrote religious texts

• Carved small caves

How tall is the largest Buddha statue at the Longmen Grottoes?

• 100 feet

• 30 feet

• 57 feet

• 75 feet

What is the official name of the largest Buddha statue at the Longmen Grottoes?

• Vairochana Buddha

• Maitreya Buddha

• Amitabha Buddha

• Shakyamuni Buddha

What does the largest Buddha statue symbolize?

• Wisdom and knowledge

• Compassion and mercy

• Power and dominance

• Peace and harmony

What legend is associated with the largest Buddha statue at the Longmen Grottoes?

• It is modeled on Empress Wu's face

• It was built overnight

• It was a gift from India

• It was struck by lightning

Why did Empress Wu want to associate herself with Buddhism?

• To promote trade

• To enhance her credibility

• To gain military power

• To establish a new dynasty

How did Empress Wu place herself at the center of religious and societal action?

• By writing religious texts

• By creating a large temple

• By leading religious ceremonies

• By funding pilgrimages

What was the impact of Empress Wu's actions on her status in society?

• It isolated her from the elite

• It increased her credibility

• It made her unpopular

• It diminished her influence