The three characters ‘Arhats Cave’ were inscribed by Mr. Jin Yong. This is a natural cave. Due to the mountain cliff at the cave entrance resembling a lying tiger, it is named ‘Panhu Cave’. In order to inherit and carry forward the grotto art of the Grand Buddha Temple in Xinchang, this natural cave has been processed and expanded. According to the terrain, five hundred arhats of different heights ranging from 1.1 meters to 1.3 meters have been constructed. Now it is called ‘Arhats Cave’. Inside the Arhats Cave, there are five hundred arhats, plus Guanyin with Water Dripping, Sudhana Boy, Dragon Girl, and Dharma Master Wudao, totaling 504 statues. It is taken from the allusion of five hundred arhats worshipping Guanyin in Buddhist scriptures. The expressed themes are peace, equality, democracy, and freedom. The appearances of the five hundred arhats are exaggerated and humorous, endowing them with movement and changes. No matter the gestures, eyes, clothing, and props of the figures, all are exquisitely realistic. They are no longer the stiff images sitting solemnly nor the lofty and unapproachable solemn appearances. Instead, they have become amiable, lovable, approachable, and respectable mortal appearances, making people feel as if they are facing real, living people. There is also a statue of Dharma Master Wudao, the former abbot of the Grand Buddha Temple. Dharma Master Wudao was born in 1920. At the age of 14, he converted to Buddhism. He has read extensively Buddhist scriptures and is proficient in Buddhist teachings. He has gone to jungles at home and abroad to preach sutras many times. There are also various sayings such as the five hundred wild geese theory and the five hundred bandits theory, and opinions vary. Opening hours: From May 1st to September 30th, it is open from 06:00 to 17:30; from October 1st to April 30th, it is open from 06:00 to 17:00.
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