石空(kong)寺石窟,位于中寧縣(xian)石空(kong)西(xi)北雙龍(long)山(shan)(shan)(shan)的(de)南(nan)麓(lu)。雙龍(long)山(shan)(shan)(shan)古代稱(cheng)為石空(kong)山(shan)(shan)(shan)。這(zhe)里(li)背山(shan)(shan)(shan)面(mian)水,風景秀麗,可以說(shuo)是青山(shan)(shan)(shan)綠(lv)水,非(fei)常清秀。明代楊郁有詩(shi)贊曰:“古洞仰觀(guan)北擁山(shan)(shan)(shan),洪(hong)濤俯瞰水東流,倚遍危(wei)欄情未已,淡煙衰草夕陽中。”便是對(dui)這(zhe)里(li)自(zi)然(ran)風貌的(de)寫照(zhao)。
石(shi)(shi)空(kong)寺(si)(si)(si)原有(you)(you)(you)(you)大(da)佛(fo)洞(dong)、臥佛(fo)洞(dong)、觀音(yin)洞(dong)、靈光洞(dong)、龍王洞(dong)等石(shi)(shi)窟(ku),在(zai)(zai)石(shi)(shi)窟(ku)前(qian)的(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)壁下建有(you)(you)(you)(you)寺(si)(si)(si)院(yuan),寺(si)(si)(si)院(yuan)中還置有(you)(you)(you)(you)各(ge)類塑神像。乾隆《中衛縣志》對石(shi)(shi)窟(ku)作過詳細(xi)的(de)(de)描(miao)述(shu):“寺(si)(si)(si)在(zai)(zai)半山(shan)(shan),為(wei)(wei)兩院(yuan)。東(dong)院(yuan)山(shan)(shan)門內,重樓(lou)依(yi)山(shan)(shan),樓(lou)下啟(qi)洞(dong)而(er)入,中若著邃屋。……兩院(yuan)梯上階而(er)上,有(you)(you)(you)(you)真武閣、亦因山(shan)(shan)窟(ku)而(er)室(shi)(shi)。轉西則(ze)新建佛(fo)殿巍然,內外各(ge)六楹。其前(qian)因山(shan)(shan)筑臺,憑(ping)欄遠(yuan)眺(tiao),河流環抱,村(cun)堡錯落。”由(you)于(yu)這里是格(ge)里騰大(da)沙(sha)(sha)(sha)漠的(de)(de)南緣(yuan),風沙(sha)(sha)(sha)很大(da),加上晚清時(shi)期,社會(hui)動亂(luan),農村(cun)調敝,寺(si)(si)(si)院(yuan)荒廢,無人維修(xiu),石(shi)(shi)窟(ku)逐被(bei)流沙(sha)(sha)(sha)淹埋(mai)(mai)。到了(le)本世紀(ji)40年代(dai)末,僅存一(yi)(yi)個群(qun)眾稱(cheng)為(wei)(wei)“九(jiu)間沒梁洞(dong)”的(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)窟(ku),洞(dong)前(qian)有(you)(you)(you)(you)寺(si)(si)(si)院(yuan)一(yi)(yi)座。“九(jiu)間沒梁洞(dong)”寬(kuan)為(wei)(wei)12.5米,進深7.3米,高(gao)約20余米,窟(ku)室(shi)(shi)寬(kuan)敞(chang)宏(hong)大(da),窟(ku)室(shi)(shi)前(qian)部門上方左右兩側各(ge)有(you)(you)(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)方形明(ming)(ming)窟(ku)。里壁并列三個佛(fo)龕,東(dong)西兩邊(bian)各(ge)置佛(fo)壇(tan),造像雖已殘(can)破,但大(da)部分為(wei)(wei)精致的(de)(de)明(ming)(ming)代(dai)彩(cai)塑;壁面有(you)(you)(you)(you)彩(cai)繪(hui)的(de)(de)佛(fo)教故事,工筆(bi)細(xi)膩;窟(ku)頂彩(cai)繪(hui)西蕃蓮圖案,線條流暢(chang)。從80年代(dai)開始,為(wei)(wei)了(le)發(fa)掘被(bei)淹埋(mai)(mai)的(de)(de)文化寶藏,有(you)(you)(you)(you)關方面組織財力(li)、物(wu)力(li)、和人力(li),清除(chu)淤沙(sha)(sha)(sha),大(da)部分石(shi)(shi)窟(ku)及(ji)寺(si)(si)(si)院(yuan)遺址已被(bei)清理出來。同時(shi)正在(zai)(zai)整修(xiu),不久可(ke)供(gong)游人游覽。 石(shi)(shi)空(kong)寺(si)(si)(si)石(shi)(shi)窟(ku)始建于(yu)何時(shi),尚(shang)未準確定論。明(ming)(ming)代(dai)《嘉(jia)靖寧(ning)夏新志》稱(cheng)為(wei)(wei)“元故寺(si)(si)(si)”,這說明(ming)(ming)石(shi)(shi)空(kong)寺(si)(si)(si)石(shi)(shi)窟(ku)在(zai)(zai)元時(shi)已有(you)(you)(you)(you)了(le)。明(ming)(ming)清時(shi),“石(shi)(shi)空(kong)夜燈”已是遠(yuan)近(jin)聞名(ming)的(de)(de)風景區之一(yi)(yi)。
石(shi)(shi)空(kong)寺(si)的(de)(de)(de)(de)“石(shi)(shi)空(kong)夜燈”這個(ge)動(dong)人的(de)(de)(de)(de)故事,早(zao)在明(ming)清時(shi)(shi)期已(yi)傳遍雙龍山南北。傳說(shuo)在 石(shi)(shi)空(kong)寺(si),每(mei)當夜暮降臨之(zhi)后,有一(yi)位仙女駕著彩云(yun),自碧(bi)空(kong)飄(piao)(piao)飄(piao)(piao)而來,她(ta)(ta)把(ba)珍珠瑪瑙撒下人間(jian),這些(xie)珍珠寶(bao)貝閃閃發(fa)光(guang)(guang),光(guang)(guang)芒(mang)四射,為人們照明(ming)。有一(yi)天,一(yi)個(ge)小(xiao)伙子(zi)(zi)(zi)埋(mai)伏(fu)在仙女降臨的(de)(de)(de)(de)地方,仙女撤(che)完珠寶(bao)以后,正要(yao)返回(hui)天宮(gong)時(shi)(shi),小(xiao)伙子(zi)(zi)(zi)冒險上(shang)前求(qiu)她(ta)(ta)永留人間(jian),仙女拔(ba)下頭上(shang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)玉簪(zan),叫小(xiao)伙子(zi)(zi)(zi)把(ba)它插入石(shi)(shi)山上(shang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)一(yi)條(tiao)縫中(zhong)。轉(zhuan)眼間(jian),仙女已(yi)無(wu)影無(wu)蹤,玉簪(zan)變成了(le)一(yi)把(ba)金(jin)鑰匙。小(xiao)伙子(zi)(zi)(zi)把(ba)它對準石(shi)(shi)縫,輕輕一(yi)插,山崩地裂,一(yi)座(zuo)座(zuo)宮(gong)殿(dian)從(cong)山中(zhong)飛出(chu)(chu)。自此,每(mei)當黑(hei)夜降臨,宮(gong)殿(dian)里(li)的(de)(de)(de)(de)燈火(huo)輝煌,鼓樂(le)自鳴,仙女們翩翩起舞,把(ba)人間(jian)照得通(tong)亮。當人們爬上(shang)山腰,走進(jin)宮(gong)殿(dian)時(shi)(shi),突然(ran)燈息(xi)煙消,鼓偃(yan)舞停。宮(gong)殿(dian)原來是(shi)一(yi)個(ge)個(ge)石(shi)(shi)洞,洞內(nei)是(shi)大(da)大(da)小(xiao)小(xiao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)佛像和五顏六色(se)的(de)(de)(de)(de)壁畫,這就是(shi)中(zhong)寧石(shi)(shi)空(kong)寺(si)窟的(de)(de)(de)(de)來歷(li)。佛燈的(de)(de)(de)(de)紅光(guang)(guang)從(cong)石(shi)(shi)洞里(li)照射出(chu)(chu)來,遙望(wang)好似星(xing)斗(dou)掛(gua)在空(kong)中(zhong),“石(shi)(shi)空(kong)”因此而得名。 “夜空(kong)石(shi)(shi)燈”歷(li)來就是(shi)寧夏十大(da)景觀(guan)之(zhi)一(yi)。古人有詩(shi)贊詠(yong)石(shi)(shi)空(kong)寺(si)石(shi)(shi)窟夜景:“疊嶂玲瓏竦石(shi)(shi)空(kong),誰(shui)開蘭若碧(bi)云(yun)中(zhong)。僧閑夜夜燃(ran)燈坐,遙見青山一(yi)滴紅。”
石空(kong)(kong)大佛(fo)寺,歷史源遠(yuan)流長,文化資源豐富(fu),優越的(de)(de)歷史遺韻,蘊育了特(te)色鮮明的(de)(de)人(ren)文景觀。石空(kong)(kong)寺石窟(ku)俗稱大佛(fo)寺,位于(yu)寧夏(xia)中寧縣余(yu)丁鄉集鎮區東北(bei)角(jiao)2公里(li)處的(de)(de)雙龍山(shan)南麓(lu)和(he)金沙(sha)村(cun)界內。石空(kong)(kong)寺歷史悠久,廟窟(ku)高大奇特(te)。殿內塑像生動逼真,壁(bi)畫工筆細(xi)膩,是寧夏(xia)及毗(pi)鄰(lin)地(di)(di)區不可多得的(de)(de)佛(fo)教勝地(di)(di)和(he)觀光游(you)覽景點。
石(shi)空(kong)大佛(fo)寺(si)石(shi)窟(ku)開鑿于唐(tang)(tang)代(dai)。據史書《隴右(you)金石(shi)錄》、《甘肅新(xin)通志》記載:"石(shi)空(kong)寺(si)以寺(si)得名,寺(si)創(chuang)于唐(tang)(tang)時(shi),就山形鑿石(shi)窟(ku),窟(ku)內造像(xiang)皆唐(tang)(tang)制。"可以說,它(ta)是唐(tang)(tang)代(dai)絲綢之(zhi)路上一處重(zhong)要的宗教文(wen)化(hua)遺址(zhi),1961年被寧夏回族自治(zhi)區人民政府公布為(wei)重(zhong)點文(wen)物保護(hu)單(dan)位(wei)。
據史料(liao)記載,大(da)(da)佛(fo)(fo)寺(si)分上(shang)、中、下三(san)寺(si),共有石窟(ku)十(shi)(shi)三(san)個,自西向東分別為(wei)(wei)∶焰光洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、萬佛(fo)(fo)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、石子觀音洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、老君洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、三(san)清(qing)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、玉(yu)皇洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、無(wu)量洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、九間無(wu)梁(liang)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、財(cai)神洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、藥王洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、娘娘洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、龍王洞(dong)(dong)(dong)、睡佛(fo)(fo)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)。其中數九間無(wu)梁(liang)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(又稱九間無(wu)梁(liang)寺(si),位於中寺(si)處)規模較為(wei)(wei)宏大(da)(da),是大(da)(da)佛(fo)(fo)寺(si)的中心,洞(dong)(dong)(dong)高二十(shi)(shi)五(wu)米(mi)(mi),深十(shi)(shi)五(wu)米(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)十(shi)(shi)三(san)米(mi)(mi),內塑八(ba)十(shi)(shi)八(ba)佛(fo)(fo),加(jia)上(shang)菩薩、羅漢、供(gong)養人等共有三(san)百六十(shi)(shi)尊之多。
上(shang)(shang)(shang)(shang)寺(si)有(you)(you)(you)(you)靈光(guang)(guang)洞(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)四.五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)八(ba).九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu).九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),為(wei)(wei)(wei)覆斗狀(zhuang)(zhuang),里(li)面(mian)(mian)塑(su)有(you)(you)(you)(you)地藏王菩薩;百子(zi)觀音(yin)洞(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)二(er)(er)(er).五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)一(yi).五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)兩(liang)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),塑(su)有(you)(you)(you)(you)百子(zi)觀音(yin);萬佛(fo)(fo)洞(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)四米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)八(ba).二(er)(er)(er)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)六(liu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),里(li)面(mian)(mian)塑(su)有(you)(you)(you)(you)佛(fo)(fo)像(xiang)(xiang)、羅(luo)漢,頂上(shang)(shang)(shang)(shang)塑(su)有(you)(you)(you)(you)許多(duo)(duo)小佛(fo)(fo)像(xiang)(xiang),其神熊各(ge)異,栩栩如(ru)生,神熊慈悲安禪。以上(shang)(shang)(shang)(shang)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)均在(zai)二(er)(er)(er)層樓閣上(shang)(shang)(shang)(shang)。第(di)一(yi)層為(wei)(wei)(wei)大(da)(da)雄寶(bao)殿(dian)(dian)(dian),塑(su)有(you)(you)(you)(you)華(hua)嚴(yan)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)圣,中(zhong)間釋迦(jia)牟(mou)尼佛(fo)(fo),持說(shuo)法狀(zhuang)(zhuang),佛(fo)(fo)像(xiang)(xiang)高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),金(jin)剛(gang)座、阿(a)難(nan)、迦(jia)葉護法,兩(liang)旁文殊(shu)騎孔雀神獅,普賢騎六(liu)牙大(da)(da)象,殿(dian)(dian)(dian)宇金(jin)碧輝(hui)煌(huang)(huang)(huang)。其次(ci)還(huan)有(you)(you)(you)(you)福祿壽三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)星洞(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)一(yi).九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)一(yi).九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san).二(er)(er)(er)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),里(li)面(mian)(mian)有(you)(you)(you)(you)壁(bi)畫(hua)(hua)。三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)清洞(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)四米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu).七米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)六(liu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),也就是(shi)至(zhi)(zhi)2018年(nian)(nian)的(de)(de)(de)大(da)(da)雄寶(bao)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)的(de)(de)(de)左右(you)配(pei)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)。玉皇洞(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)四米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu).七米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。無量洞(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)兩(liang)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)四米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。 正(zheng)面(mian)(mian)有(you)(you)(you)(you)3個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)大(da)(da)佛(fo)(fo)龕(kan),正(zheng)中(zhong)為(wei)(wei)(wei)一(yi)龕(kan)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)身(shen)(shen)群像(xiang)(xiang),居中(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)大(da)(da)坐佛(fo)(fo)高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)達5米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),為(wei)(wei)(wei)石(shi)胎泥塑(su)而成,儀(yi)態雍容(rong)。后壁(bi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)火焰光(guang)(guang)環,佛(fo)(fo)龕(kan)兩(liang)側各(ge)有(you)(you)(you)(you)彩(cai)色(se)壁(bi)畫(hua)(hua),色(se)彩(cai)艷麗,可與敦煌(huang)(huang)(huang)石(shi)窟(ku)的(de)(de)(de)唐代(dai)壁(bi)畫(hua)(hua)相媲美。 中(zhong)寺(si)是(shi)九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)間無梁寺(si)洞(dong)(dong)(dong),它(ta)是(shi)整個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)石(shi)窟(ku)中(zhong)心。這個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)敞宏大(da)(da),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)一(yi)百二(er)(er)(er)十(shi)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)約二(er)(er)(er)十(shi)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),進深(shen)(shen)(shen)七百二(er)(er)(er)十(shi)四米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),上(shang)(shang)(shang)(shang)面(mian)(mian)有(you)(you)(you)(you)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)大(da)(da)佛(fo)(fo)龕(kan),正(zheng)中(zhong)大(da)(da)龕(kan)為(wei)(wei)(wei)一(yi)龕(kan)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)身(shen)(shen)群像(xiang)(xiang),本(ben)尊是(shi)石(shi)胎泥塑(su)的(de)(de)(de)釋迦(jia)牟(mou)尼佛(fo)(fo)座身(shen)(shen),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),螺發(fa),圓(yuan)臉、長(chang)眉(mei)大(da)(da)眼,耳垂至(zhi)(zhi)肩,袒胸(xiong)盤(pan)膝,身(shen)(shen)穿紅色(se)袈娑外(wai)衣(yi),姿熊雍容(rong)溫和慈祥,左右(you)兩(liang)菩薩頭戴(dai)花(hua)冠,頸佩(pei)瓔(ying)珞(luo),袒胸(xiong)露(lu)臂(bei),腕戴(dai)釧(chuan)鐲,著貼身(shen)(shen)長(chang)群,系(xi)彩(cai)色(se)腰圍,臉部豐滿(man),長(chang)眉(mei)大(da)(da)眼,鼻子(zi)微微隆起,頜(he)下(xia)(xia)有(you)(you)(you)(you)條弧線,額正(zheng)中(zhong)眉(mei)宇間有(you)(you)(you)(you)一(yi)顆紅色(se)吉(ji)祥痣(zhi)。造型(xing)(xing)似盛唐時(shi)風格,形熊動(dong)人(ren),原(yuan)有(you)(you)(you)(you)阿(a)難(nan),迦(jia)葉兩(liang)弟(di)子(zi)像(xiang)(xiang)站陪,現已傾倒毀壞。後(hou)壁(bi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)火焰光(guang)(guang)環,兩(liang)側有(you)(you)(you)(you)彩(cai)色(se)壁(bi)畫(hua)(hua),從脫落的(de)(de)(de)部分(fen)觀察,壁(bi)畫(hua)(hua)有(you)(you)(you)(you)里(li)外(wai)兩(liang)層,外(wai)層繪(hui)有(you)(you)(you)(you)佛(fo)(fo)經故事,如(ru)迦(jia)葉渡海等人(ren)物造型(xing)(xing),色(se)彩(cai)運用(yong)、氣氛渲染等方(fang)面(mian)(mian)都表現出較高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)的(de)(de)(de)藝術手法。里(li)層時(shi)代(dai)更早,顏色(se)多(duo)(duo)已氧化。從色(se)調(diao)看,與敦煌(huang)(huang)(huang)唐代(dai)彩(cai)繪(hui)相似。石(shi)窟(ku)兩(liang)壁(bi)均有(you)(you)(you)(you)各(ge)種佛(fo)(fo)像(xiang)(xiang),分(fen)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)排陳列(lie),都是(shi)盤(pan)腿而坐,身(shen)(shen)著袈裟(sha)外(wai)衣(yi),每(mei)排八(ba)、九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)尊,據稱共八(ba)十(shi)八(ba)佛(fo)(fo)。窟(ku)頂繪(hui)有(you)(you)(you)(you)彩(cai)色(se)番蓮(lian)花(hua)圖案(an)的(de)(de)(de)藻井,窟(ku)底為(wei)(wei)(wei)方(fang)磚鋪地,可站立(li)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)百多(duo)(duo)人(ren)禮佛(fo)(fo)。下(xia)(xia)寺(si)有(you)(you)(you)(you)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)窟(ku),第(di)一(yi)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)可能是(shi)住僧人(ren)的(de)(de)(de),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)四米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san).六(liu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),里(li)面(mian)(mian)還(huan)鑿有(you)(you)(you)(you)一(yi)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)小洞(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)十(shi)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。第(di)二(er)(er)(er)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)是(shi)娘娘洞(dong)(dong)(dong),第(di)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)是(shi)藥王洞(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)二(er)(er)(er).五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)○.六(liu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)一(yi).四米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。第(di)四個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)是(shi)龍王洞(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san).五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)四米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)二(er)(er)(er).九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。第(di)五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)個(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)(ge)是(shi)睡佛(fo)(fo)洞(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)四.五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)(shen)九(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)(kuan)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san).五(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),內(nei)塑(su)佛(fo)(fo)涅盤(pan)像(xiang)(xiang),阿(a)難(nan),迦(jia)葉等十(shi)大(da)(da)弟(di)子(zi)待立(li)身(shen)(shen)後(hou)。至(zhi)(zhi)2018年(nian)(nian)上(shang)(shang)(shang)(shang)寺(si)和下(xia)(xia)寺(si)已具(ju)規(gui)模,上(shang)(shang)(shang)(shang)寺(si)三(san)(san)(san)(san)(san)層樓閣式主殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、配(pei)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、禪房、齋房齊備。一(yi)進山(shan)門即可看見笑容(rong)滿(man)面(mian)(mian)的(de)(de)(de)彌勒佛(fo)(fo),背後(hou)是(shi)韋(wei)馱(tuo),兩(liang)側有(you)(you)(you)(you)四大(da)(da)天王護法,天王殿(dian)(dian)(dian)氣勢雄偉(wei),每(mei)逢農歷四月初八(ba)前後(hou),各(ge)地得客(ke)信徒(tu)云集而來,朝山(shan)拜佛(fo)(fo)、看戲、經商(shang)、游覽,人(ren)山(shan)人(ren)海,熱鬧(nao)非凡。
萬(wan)佛(fo)(fo)洞(dong)(dong)和焰(yan)光洞(dong)(dong)規模也很大,兩(liang)洞(dong)(dong)鑿于半山腰(yao),洞(dong)(dong)窟(ku)(ku)各高(gao)5米(mi),深10米(mi),寬(kuan)6米(mi)。萬(wan)佛(fo)(fo)洞(dong)(dong)正面(mian)佛(fo)(fo)龕塑金身釋伽牟尼(ni)坐像(xiang),兩(liang)側為侍立(li)菩薩,窟(ku)(ku)頂及兩(liang)壁貼塑無(wu)數小(xiao)佛(fo)(fo),號稱萬(wan)佛(fo)(fo)像(xiang)。焰(yan)光洞(dong)(dong)正中佛(fo)(fo)龕,上邊塑焰(yan)光佛(fo)(fo),下(xia)邊塑地藏菩薩,洞(dong)(dong)窟(ku)(ku)兩(liang)側塑有十殿(dian)閻君,形體(ti)高(gao)大威(wei)猛,神態各異。兩(liang)窟(ku)(ku)中間開有一個高(gao)3米(mi),寬(kuan)2米(mi),深1.5米(mi)的小(xiao)窟(ku)(ku),內(nei)塑百(bai)子觀音坐像(xiang),窟(ku)(ku)壁塑無(wu)數天(tian)真(zhen)孩(hai)童(tong),活潑可愛。洞(dong)(dong)窟(ku)(ku)外(wai)面(mian)建有靠山樓三(san)層,三(san)窟(ku)(ku)洞(dong)(dong)口均在二層樓內(nei),樓閣高(gao)聳巍峨,氣勢雄宏,與洞(dong)(dong)窟(ku)(ku)渾然一體(ti),形成藝(yi)術組合。其建筑手(shou)法和外(wai)形與敦煌莫高(gao)窟(ku)(ku)一脈相(xiang)承。
大佛(fo)寺自(zi)唐代開鑿(zao)以來,在一(yi)千(qian)多年(nian)(nian)(nian)的(de)(de)滄桑歲月中幾經興(xing)衰,從遺存(cun)的(de)(de)大量明代嘉靖年(nian)(nian)(nian)間的(de)(de)銘(ming)文(wen)(wen)(wen)來看,明代進行過(guo)較大規(gui)模(mo)的(de)(de)維修(xiu)擴建(jian)。清(qing)末洞(dong)(dong)窟(ku)(ku)被流沙掩(yan)埋,使得(de)窟(ku)(ku)內文(wen)(wen)(wen)物(wu)得(de)以幸存(cun)下(xia)(xia)來。1981至(zhi)1983年(nian)(nian)(nian)間,大佛(fo)寺上寺和下(xia)(xia)寺部分洞(dong)(dong)窟(ku)(ku)經寧(ning)(ning)夏回族自(zi)治區(qu)文(wen)(wen)(wen)物(wu)管理(li)委員會(hui)發(fa)掘(jue),深(shen)埋地下(xia)(xia)的(de)(de)千(qian)年(nian)(nian)(nian)文(wen)(wen)(wen)物(wu)重見(jian)天日。隨(sui)后(hou),寧(ning)(ning)夏回族自(zi)治區(qu)文(wen)(wen)(wen)物(wu)管理(li)委員會(hui)陸續維修(xiu)了娘娘洞(dong)(dong)、睡佛(fo)洞(dong)(dong)、龍王(wang)洞(dong)(dong),修(xiu)復了靠山樓、菩(pu)薩(sa)殿、虔心殿、大雄(xiong)殿、天王(wang)殿、藥師佛(fo)殿、阿彌陀(tuo)佛(fo)殿、禪堂、凈寶、山門等古建(jian)筑。至(zhi)2018年(nian)(nian)(nian)大佛(fo)寺已(yi)初具規(gui)模(mo),其它(ta)洞(dong)(dong)窟(ku)(ku)因資金、技術等原因尚未修(xiu)復。特別是規(gui)模(mo)宏大的(de)(de)九間無梁寺到至(zhi)2018年(nian)(nian)(nian)為止仍掩(yan)埋于漫漫黃沙下(xia)(xia)。