Pagoda as Grottos: Rethinking the Architectural Form of Cave 4 of Maijishan Grottoes

Abstract

This paper mainly explores the architectural form of the interior of Maiji Mountain’s Cave 4 and the spiritual realm it establishes. Previous research holds the view that the niche within Cave 4 is architecturally modeled after a tent-like structure. However, after in-depth research, this paper suggests that the niche in Cave 4 is more of an imitation of an embedded stupa, or rather, it reconstructs the stupa in an embedded form within the cave. In prior studies, analysis historical background and architectural details of Cave 4 remains inadequate, thus, this paper aims to take a thorough investigation on this point, and further clarify the significance of the form of the Buddha niche in Cave 4, as well as its construction design origins. Specifically, the octagonal wooden-imitating column, lotus-shaped clamp, inverted lotus pedestal, five lotus petals, and shadow sculptures within the niche, the shallow-relief ceiling and small platform outside the niche, as well as the banana leaf decorations, all suggest that the architectural form Cave 4 imitates is likely a single-story wooden stupa. In this way, the connection that this embedded stupa creates between the Budda and the faithful, is more direct and intimate, especially compared to the one built in traditional Buddhist activities. Moreover, by coordinating with various visual materials inside the cave, such as the layout of the Dharma assembly and the exquisite details of the Buddha images, it reconstructs the “realm of the mind” in Buddhism, reinforcing the faithful’s dual experience both in physical and spiritual fields. The Master Teacher Studio of basic education came into being with the new curriculum reform, which has become a new mechanism for the construction of teaching staff in social situations in China. As a brand-new way in the construction of teaching staff in the new era, through reviewing the relevant research, it is found that the focus of academic circles on Master Teacher Studio is mainly in four aspects: clarifying the conceptual boundary, seeking theoretical support, defining the functional orientation, and exploring status quo of development. The exploration of the research process is not only a process of summary but also a process of reflection. By reviewing relevant research, reflecting on the problems that have appeared in the process of building the Master Teacher Studio in basic education, clarify the development path of the Master Teacher Studio and further affirm its advantages to the construction of teaching staff in the Chinese context.