石空(kong)(kong)寺(si)石窟,位于中寧縣(xian)石空(kong)(kong)西(xi)北雙龍(long)山的(de)南麓。雙龍(long)山古代(dai)稱為石空(kong)(kong)山。這里背山面水(shui)(shui),風景秀麗,可以說是青山綠水(shui)(shui),非常清秀。明(ming)代(dai)楊(yang)郁有詩贊曰(yue):“古洞(dong)仰觀(guan)北擁山,洪濤俯瞰水(shui)(shui)東流(liu),倚遍危欄情未已(yi),淡煙衰草夕陽中。”便(bian)是對這里自然風貌的(de)寫照(zhao)。
石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)空寺(si)(si)(si)原有大(da)佛洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、臥佛洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、觀音洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、靈(ling)光洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、龍王(wang)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)等石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)窟,在石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)窟前(qian)的石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)壁(bi)下建有寺(si)(si)(si)院(yuan),寺(si)(si)(si)院(yuan)中還置有各(ge)類塑神像(xiang)(xiang)。乾隆《中衛縣(xian)志(zhi)》對石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)窟作過詳細的描述:“寺(si)(si)(si)在半山(shan)(shan),為(wei)(wei)兩(liang)院(yuan)。東(dong)院(yuan)山(shan)(shan)門(men)內(nei),重樓依山(shan)(shan),樓下啟洞(dong)(dong)(dong)而(er)(er)入,中若著(zhu)邃屋(wu)。……兩(liang)院(yuan)梯(ti)上階而(er)(er)上,有真武閣、亦因山(shan)(shan)窟而(er)(er)室。轉(zhuan)西則新(xin)建佛殿(dian)巍然,內(nei)外各(ge)六楹(ying)。其前(qian)因山(shan)(shan)筑臺,憑欄遠(yuan)眺,河流(liu)環(huan)抱,村堡錯落。”由于這(zhe)里(li)是格(ge)里(li)騰大(da)沙漠的南緣,風(feng)沙很大(da),加上晚清時期,社會動亂,農村調敝,寺(si)(si)(si)院(yuan)荒廢,無人(ren)(ren)(ren)維修(xiu),石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)窟逐被流(liu)沙淹(yan)埋。到(dao)了本世紀40年(nian)(nian)代(dai)(dai)末(mo),僅存一(yi)(yi)個群(qun)眾稱(cheng)為(wei)(wei)“九間沒梁(liang)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)”的石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)窟,洞(dong)(dong)(dong)前(qian)有寺(si)(si)(si)院(yuan)一(yi)(yi)座。“九間沒梁(liang)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)”寬(kuan)為(wei)(wei)12.5米(mi),進深7.3米(mi),高約(yue)20余(yu)米(mi),窟室寬(kuan)敞宏(hong)大(da),窟室前(qian)部(bu)(bu)門(men)上方(fang)(fang)左右兩(liang)側(ce)各(ge)有一(yi)(yi)方(fang)(fang)形明(ming)窟。里(li)壁(bi)并列(lie)三個佛龕,東(dong)西兩(liang)邊各(ge)置佛壇,造(zao)像(xiang)(xiang)雖已殘破,但大(da)部(bu)(bu)分為(wei)(wei)精(jing)致的明(ming)代(dai)(dai)彩(cai)塑;壁(bi)面有彩(cai)繪(hui)的佛教故事(shi),工筆細膩;窟頂彩(cai)繪(hui)西蕃蓮圖案,線條流(liu)暢。從80年(nian)(nian)代(dai)(dai)開始(shi),為(wei)(wei)了發掘被淹(yan)埋的文化寶藏,有關方(fang)(fang)面組織財力(li)、物力(li)、和人(ren)(ren)(ren)力(li),清除淤沙,大(da)部(bu)(bu)分石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)窟及(ji)寺(si)(si)(si)院(yuan)遺址已被清理出來(lai)。同時正在整修(xiu),不久可供游人(ren)(ren)(ren)游覽。 石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)空寺(si)(si)(si)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)窟始(shi)建于何時,尚(shang)未(wei)準確定論。明(ming)代(dai)(dai)《嘉靖寧夏新(xin)志(zhi)》稱(cheng)為(wei)(wei)“元故寺(si)(si)(si)”,這(zhe)說明(ming)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)空寺(si)(si)(si)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)窟在元時已有了。明(ming)清時,“石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)空夜燈”已是遠(yuan)近聞(wen)名的風(feng)景區(qu)之一(yi)(yi)。
石(shi)空寺的(de)“石(shi)空夜(ye)(ye)燈”這(zhe)個動人(ren)的(de)故事,早在明清時(shi)期已傳遍雙(shuang)龍山南北。傳說在 石(shi)空寺,每當夜(ye)(ye)暮(mu)降(jiang)臨(lin)之(zhi)后(hou),有一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)位仙(xian)女駕著彩(cai)云,自(zi)碧空飄(piao)飄(piao)而來(lai),她把(ba)珍珠瑪瑙撒下人(ren)間,這(zhe)些珍珠寶貝閃閃發(fa)光,光芒(mang)四(si)射(she),為(wei)人(ren)們(men)照(zhao)明。有一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)天(tian),一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)個小(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)伙(huo)(huo)子埋伏在仙(xian)女降(jiang)臨(lin)的(de)地(di)方(fang),仙(xian)女撤(che)完珠寶以后(hou),正(zheng)要返回天(tian)宮時(shi),小(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)伙(huo)(huo)子冒險上(shang)前求她永留人(ren)間,仙(xian)女拔下頭上(shang)的(de)玉(yu)簪(zan),叫(jiao)小(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)伙(huo)(huo)子把(ba)它(ta)插(cha)入石(shi)山上(shang)的(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)條縫(feng)(feng)中(zhong)(zhong)。轉眼間,仙(xian)女已無影無蹤,玉(yu)簪(zan)變(bian)成了一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)把(ba)金鑰(yao)匙。小(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)伙(huo)(huo)子把(ba)它(ta)對準(zhun)石(shi)縫(feng)(feng),輕(qing)輕(qing)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)插(cha),山崩地(di)裂,一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)座(zuo)座(zuo)宮殿從山中(zhong)(zhong)飛(fei)出(chu)。自(zi)此(ci),每當黑夜(ye)(ye)降(jiang)臨(lin),宮殿里的(de)燈火輝(hui)煌,鼓樂(le)自(zi)鳴,仙(xian)女們(men)翩(pian)翩(pian)起舞,把(ba)人(ren)間照(zhao)得通亮。當人(ren)們(men)爬上(shang)山腰,走進宮殿時(shi),突然(ran)燈息煙消,鼓偃舞停。宮殿原來(lai)是(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)個個石(shi)洞(dong)(dong),洞(dong)(dong)內是(shi)大(da)大(da)小(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)小(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)的(de)佛像和五顏六(liu)色(se)的(de)壁畫,這(zhe)就是(shi)中(zhong)(zhong)寧石(shi)空寺窟的(de)來(lai)歷(li)。佛燈的(de)紅(hong)光從石(shi)洞(dong)(dong)里照(zhao)射(she)出(chu)來(lai),遙望好(hao)似星斗掛在空中(zhong)(zhong),“石(shi)空”因此(ci)而得名(ming)。 “夜(ye)(ye)空石(shi)燈”歷(li)來(lai)就是(shi)寧夏十大(da)景觀(guan)之(zhi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)。古人(ren)有詩贊(zan)詠石(shi)空寺石(shi)窟夜(ye)(ye)景:“疊(die)嶂玲(ling)瓏(long)竦石(shi)空,誰(shui)開蘭若(ruo)碧云中(zhong)(zhong)。僧閑夜(ye)(ye)夜(ye)(ye)燃燈坐,遙見青(qing)山一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)滴紅(hong)。”
石空(kong)大(da)佛(fo)寺,歷史(shi)源(yuan)遠流長,文化(hua)資(zi)源(yuan)豐富(fu),優(you)越的(de)歷史(shi)遺(yi)韻,蘊育了特色鮮(xian)明的(de)人文景觀(guan)。石空(kong)寺石窟俗稱大(da)佛(fo)寺,位于寧夏中寧縣余(yu)丁鄉集鎮(zhen)區(qu)東北(bei)角2公(gong)里處的(de)雙龍山南(nan)麓(lu)和金沙村界(jie)內(nei)。石空(kong)寺歷史(shi)悠久,廟窟高大(da)奇特。殿內(nei)塑(su)像生動(dong)逼真(zhen),壁畫工筆細膩,是寧夏及毗(pi)鄰(lin)地區(qu)不可多得的(de)佛(fo)教勝地和觀(guan)光游覽景點。
石空大佛寺(si)石窟(ku)開鑿(zao)于唐(tang)(tang)代。據史書《隴右(you)金石錄(lu)》、《甘肅新(xin)通(tong)志》記載(zai):"石空寺(si)以(yi)寺(si)得名,寺(si)創于唐(tang)(tang)時,就(jiu)山形(xing)鑿(zao)石窟(ku),窟(ku)內造像皆唐(tang)(tang)制。"可以(yi)說,它是唐(tang)(tang)代絲綢之路上一處(chu)重(zhong)(zhong)要的宗教文(wen)(wen)化遺址,1961年被寧夏回族自治區人民政府公布為重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)文(wen)(wen)物保護(hu)單位(wei)。
據(ju)史料(liao)記載,大佛(fo)(fo)寺(si)分(fen)上、中(zhong)(zhong)、下(xia)三(san)(san)(san)寺(si),共有(you)(you)石窟十(shi)(shi)(shi)三(san)(san)(san)個,自西向東分(fen)別為(wei)∶焰(yan)光洞(dong)、萬佛(fo)(fo)洞(dong)、石子觀音洞(dong)、老君洞(dong)、三(san)(san)(san)清洞(dong)、玉皇洞(dong)、無(wu)量洞(dong)、九間(jian)無(wu)梁洞(dong)、財神洞(dong)、藥王洞(dong)、娘(niang)娘(niang)洞(dong)、龍(long)王洞(dong)、睡佛(fo)(fo)洞(dong)。其中(zhong)(zhong)數(shu)九間(jian)無(wu)梁洞(dong)(又稱九間(jian)無(wu)梁寺(si),位於中(zhong)(zhong)寺(si)處)規模較為(wei)宏大,是大佛(fo)(fo)寺(si)的中(zhong)(zhong)心,洞(dong)高(gao)二十(shi)(shi)(shi)五(wu)米(mi),深(shen)十(shi)(shi)(shi)五(wu)米(mi),寬十(shi)(shi)(shi)三(san)(san)(san)米(mi),內塑(su)八十(shi)(shi)(shi)八佛(fo)(fo),加上菩薩(sa)、羅漢、供養人等共有(you)(you)三(san)(san)(san)百六十(shi)(shi)(shi)尊之多。
上(shang)(shang)寺(si)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)靈光洞(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)四(si)(si)(si)(si).五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)八(ba)(ba).九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu).九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),為(wei)覆斗狀(zhuang),里(li)(li)面(mian)(mian)塑(su)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)地藏王(wang)(wang)菩薩(sa)(sa);百子(zi)觀音洞(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)二.五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)一(yi)(yi)(yi).五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)兩(liang)(liang)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),塑(su)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)百子(zi)觀音;萬佛(fo)(fo)洞(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)四(si)(si)(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)八(ba)(ba).二米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)六(liu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),里(li)(li)面(mian)(mian)塑(su)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)佛(fo)(fo)像(xiang)(xiang)、羅漢,頂(ding)上(shang)(shang)塑(su)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)許多(duo)小佛(fo)(fo)像(xiang)(xiang),其(qi)(qi)神熊(xiong)(xiong)各(ge)異,栩栩如生,神熊(xiong)(xiong)慈悲安禪(chan)。以上(shang)(shang)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)洞(dong)均(jun)在二層樓閣上(shang)(shang)。第(di)一(yi)(yi)(yi)層為(wei)大(da)(da)(da)雄(xiong)寶殿(dian)(dian),塑(su)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)華嚴三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)圣,中(zhong)間釋(shi)迦(jia)(jia)牟尼佛(fo)(fo),持說法狀(zhuang),佛(fo)(fo)像(xiang)(xiang)高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),金剛座、阿(a)(a)難、迦(jia)(jia)葉(xie)(xie)護(hu)(hu)法,兩(liang)(liang)旁(pang)文殊騎孔雀神獅,普賢(xian)騎六(liu)牙大(da)(da)(da)象(xiang),殿(dian)(dian)宇(yu)金碧輝煌。其(qi)(qi)次(ci)還有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)福祿壽三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)星(xing)洞(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)一(yi)(yi)(yi).九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)一(yi)(yi)(yi).九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san).二米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),里(li)(li)面(mian)(mian)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)壁(bi)(bi)畫(hua)(hua)。三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)清洞(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)四(si)(si)(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu).七米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)六(liu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),也就是(shi)(shi)(shi)至(zhi)2018年的(de)(de)大(da)(da)(da)雄(xiong)寶殿(dian)(dian)的(de)(de)左(zuo)右配殿(dian)(dian)。玉(yu)皇洞(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)四(si)(si)(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu).七米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。無量洞(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)兩(liang)(liang)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)四(si)(si)(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。 正(zheng)面(mian)(mian)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)3個(ge)(ge)大(da)(da)(da)佛(fo)(fo)龕,正(zheng)中(zhong)為(wei)一(yi)(yi)(yi)龕五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)身(shen)(shen)(shen)群(qun)像(xiang)(xiang),居中(zhong)的(de)(de)大(da)(da)(da)坐(zuo)佛(fo)(fo)高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)達5米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),為(wei)石(shi)胎泥塑(su)而成,儀態雍容(rong)。后(hou)壁(bi)(bi)為(wei)火焰光環(huan),佛(fo)(fo)龕兩(liang)(liang)側(ce)(ce)各(ge)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)彩(cai)色(se)(se)(se)壁(bi)(bi)畫(hua)(hua),色(se)(se)(se)彩(cai)艷麗,可與敦煌石(shi)窟(ku)的(de)(de)唐(tang)代壁(bi)(bi)畫(hua)(hua)相媲美(mei)。 中(zhong)寺(si)是(shi)(shi)(shi)九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)間無梁寺(si)洞(dong),它是(shi)(shi)(shi)整個(ge)(ge)石(shi)窟(ku)中(zhong)心。這個(ge)(ge)洞(dong)寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)敞宏大(da)(da)(da),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)一(yi)(yi)(yi)百二十(shi)(shi)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)約二十(shi)(shi)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),進深(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)七百二十(shi)(shi)四(si)(si)(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),上(shang)(shang)面(mian)(mian)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)個(ge)(ge)大(da)(da)(da)佛(fo)(fo)龕,正(zheng)中(zhong)大(da)(da)(da)龕為(wei)一(yi)(yi)(yi)龕五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)身(shen)(shen)(shen)群(qun)像(xiang)(xiang),本尊是(shi)(shi)(shi)石(shi)胎泥塑(su)的(de)(de)釋(shi)迦(jia)(jia)牟尼佛(fo)(fo)座身(shen)(shen)(shen),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),螺發(fa),圓臉(lian)、長眉大(da)(da)(da)眼,耳垂至(zhi)肩,袒胸盤膝,身(shen)(shen)(shen)穿紅色(se)(se)(se)袈娑外衣,姿熊(xiong)(xiong)雍容(rong)溫和慈祥(xiang),左(zuo)右兩(liang)(liang)菩薩(sa)(sa)頭(tou)戴(dai)花(hua)冠,頸佩(pei)瓔(ying)珞,袒胸露臂(bei),腕(wan)戴(dai)釧(chuan)鐲,著(zhu)貼身(shen)(shen)(shen)長群(qun),系彩(cai)色(se)(se)(se)腰圍(wei),臉(lian)部豐滿,長眉大(da)(da)(da)眼,鼻子(zi)微微隆(long)起,頜下(xia)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)條弧線,額(e)正(zheng)中(zhong)眉宇(yu)間有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)(yi)顆紅色(se)(se)(se)吉祥(xiang)痣。造型似盛(sheng)唐(tang)時風格,形(xing)熊(xiong)(xiong)動人(ren)(ren),原有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)阿(a)(a)難,迦(jia)(jia)葉(xie)(xie)兩(liang)(liang)弟(di)子(zi)像(xiang)(xiang)站(zhan)陪,現已(yi)(yi)傾倒(dao)毀壞。後壁(bi)(bi)為(wei)火焰光環(huan),兩(liang)(liang)側(ce)(ce)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)彩(cai)色(se)(se)(se)壁(bi)(bi)畫(hua)(hua),從(cong)脫落的(de)(de)部分(fen)觀察,壁(bi)(bi)畫(hua)(hua)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)里(li)(li)外兩(liang)(liang)層,外層繪(hui)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)佛(fo)(fo)經故事,如迦(jia)(jia)葉(xie)(xie)渡海等(deng)人(ren)(ren)物造型,色(se)(se)(se)彩(cai)運用、氣(qi)氛渲(xuan)染等(deng)方面(mian)(mian)都(dou)表現出較(jiao)高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)的(de)(de)藝術手法。里(li)(li)層時代更早(zao),顏色(se)(se)(se)多(duo)已(yi)(yi)氧化。從(cong)色(se)(se)(se)調(diao)看,與敦煌唐(tang)代彩(cai)繪(hui)相似。石(shi)窟(ku)兩(liang)(liang)壁(bi)(bi)均(jun)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)各(ge)種佛(fo)(fo)像(xiang)(xiang),分(fen)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)排陳(chen)列,都(dou)是(shi)(shi)(shi)盤腿而坐(zuo),身(shen)(shen)(shen)著(zhu)袈裟外衣,每(mei)排八(ba)(ba)、九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)尊,據(ju)稱共八(ba)(ba)十(shi)(shi)八(ba)(ba)佛(fo)(fo)。窟(ku)頂(ding)繪(hui)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)彩(cai)色(se)(se)(se)番蓮花(hua)圖案的(de)(de)藻井,窟(ku)底為(wei)方磚鋪地,可站(zhan)立三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)百多(duo)人(ren)(ren)禮佛(fo)(fo)。下(xia)寺(si)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)個(ge)(ge)洞(dong)窟(ku),第(di)一(yi)(yi)(yi)個(ge)(ge)可能是(shi)(shi)(shi)住僧人(ren)(ren)的(de)(de),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)四(si)(si)(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san).六(liu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),里(li)(li)面(mian)(mian)還鑿有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)(yi)個(ge)(ge)小洞(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)十(shi)(shi)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。第(di)二個(ge)(ge)是(shi)(shi)(shi)娘(niang)娘(niang)洞(dong),第(di)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)個(ge)(ge)是(shi)(shi)(shi)藥王(wang)(wang)洞(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)二.五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)○.六(liu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)一(yi)(yi)(yi).四(si)(si)(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。第(di)四(si)(si)(si)(si)個(ge)(ge)是(shi)(shi)(shi)龍王(wang)(wang)洞(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san).五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)四(si)(si)(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)二.九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。第(di)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)個(ge)(ge)是(shi)(shi)(shi)睡佛(fo)(fo)洞(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)四(si)(si)(si)(si).五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)(shen)九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san).五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),內塑(su)佛(fo)(fo)涅(nie)盤像(xiang)(xiang),阿(a)(a)難,迦(jia)(jia)葉(xie)(xie)等(deng)十(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)(da)弟(di)子(zi)待立身(shen)(shen)(shen)後。至(zhi)2018年上(shang)(shang)寺(si)和下(xia)寺(si)已(yi)(yi)具規模,上(shang)(shang)寺(si)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)層樓閣式主(zhu)殿(dian)(dian)、配殿(dian)(dian)、禪(chan)房(fang)、齋房(fang)齊(qi)備(bei)。一(yi)(yi)(yi)進山(shan)門即可看見笑容(rong)滿面(mian)(mian)的(de)(de)彌勒佛(fo)(fo),背後是(shi)(shi)(shi)韋馱,兩(liang)(liang)側(ce)(ce)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)四(si)(si)(si)(si)大(da)(da)(da)天(tian)王(wang)(wang)護(hu)(hu)法,天(tian)王(wang)(wang)殿(dian)(dian)氣(qi)勢雄(xiong)偉(wei),每(mei)逢農歷四(si)(si)(si)(si)月初八(ba)(ba)前(qian)後,各(ge)地得客信(xin)徒云集而來,朝山(shan)拜(bai)佛(fo)(fo)、看戲、經商(shang)、游覽(lan),人(ren)(ren)山(shan)人(ren)(ren)海,熱鬧非凡(fan)。
萬佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)和焰光(guang)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)規模也很大,兩洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)鑿于半(ban)山腰,洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)窟(ku)各高5米(mi),深10米(mi),寬6米(mi)。萬佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)正(zheng)面佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)龕(kan)塑(su)(su)金身釋伽牟尼坐像,兩側(ce)為侍立菩薩,窟(ku)頂及(ji)兩壁貼(tie)塑(su)(su)無(wu)數(shu)小佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo),號稱萬佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)像。焰光(guang)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)正(zheng)中佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)龕(kan),上邊塑(su)(su)焰光(guang)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo),下邊塑(su)(su)地藏菩薩,洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)窟(ku)兩側(ce)塑(su)(su)有(you)十殿(dian)閻君,形體(ti)(ti)高大威猛,神(shen)態各異。兩窟(ku)中間開有(you)一個高3米(mi),寬2米(mi),深1.5米(mi)的小窟(ku),內塑(su)(su)百子觀音坐像,窟(ku)壁塑(su)(su)無(wu)數(shu)天真孩童,活潑可愛。洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)窟(ku)外面建(jian)有(you)靠山樓三層,三窟(ku)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)口均在二層樓內,樓閣高聳巍峨,氣勢雄宏,與洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)窟(ku)渾然一體(ti)(ti),形成藝術組合。其建(jian)筑手法和外形與敦煌(huang)莫高窟(ku)一脈相承。
大(da)佛(fo)寺(si)自(zi)唐代開鑿(zao)以(yi)來,在(zai)一千多(duo)年的(de)滄桑歲月中幾經興衰,從遺存的(de)大(da)量(liang)明代嘉靖(jing)年間(jian)的(de)銘文(wen)(wen)來看,明代進行過較(jiao)大(da)規(gui)模(mo)(mo)的(de)維修擴建。清(qing)末洞(dong)窟(ku)被(bei)流沙掩埋(mai),使得窟(ku)內文(wen)(wen)物(wu)(wu)(wu)得以(yi)幸存下(xia)(xia)來。1981至(zhi)(zhi)1983年間(jian),大(da)佛(fo)寺(si)上寺(si)和下(xia)(xia)寺(si)部分洞(dong)窟(ku)經寧夏回(hui)(hui)族自(zi)治(zhi)區文(wen)(wen)物(wu)(wu)(wu)管(guan)理委(wei)員會(hui)發掘,深埋(mai)地(di)下(xia)(xia)的(de)千年文(wen)(wen)物(wu)(wu)(wu)重見天(tian)日。隨后,寧夏回(hui)(hui)族自(zi)治(zhi)區文(wen)(wen)物(wu)(wu)(wu)管(guan)理委(wei)員會(hui)陸續維修了娘娘洞(dong)、睡佛(fo)洞(dong)、龍王(wang)洞(dong),修復(fu)了靠山樓、菩薩(sa)殿(dian)、虔心殿(dian)、大(da)雄殿(dian)、天(tian)王(wang)殿(dian)、藥師佛(fo)殿(dian)、阿彌陀佛(fo)殿(dian)、禪堂、凈(jing)寶、山門等古建筑。至(zhi)(zhi)2018年大(da)佛(fo)寺(si)已初(chu)具規(gui)模(mo)(mo),其它(ta)洞(dong)窟(ku)因(yin)資金、技術等原因(yin)尚未修復(fu)。特別是(shi)規(gui)模(mo)(mo)宏大(da)的(de)九間(jian)無梁寺(si)到至(zhi)(zhi)2018年為(wei)止仍掩埋(mai)于漫漫黃沙下(xia)(xia)。