石空寺石窟,位于(yu)中寧(ning)縣石空西北(bei)雙龍山(shan)的(de)南麓。雙龍山(shan)古(gu)(gu)代稱為石空山(shan)。這里背山(shan)面水(shui),風景秀麗,可以說是青山(shan)綠水(shui),非常(chang)清秀。明(ming)代楊郁有詩贊曰(yue):“古(gu)(gu)洞(dong)仰觀北(bei)擁山(shan),洪濤俯(fu)瞰水(shui)東流,倚(yi)遍危欄(lan)情未已(yi),淡煙衰(shuai)草(cao)夕陽中。”便是對這里自然風貌的(de)寫照。
石空寺(si)原有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)大(da)佛洞、臥佛洞、觀音洞、靈光洞、龍王洞等(deng)石窟(ku)(ku)(ku),在(zai)石窟(ku)(ku)(ku)前(qian)的(de)(de)(de)石壁(bi)下建(jian)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)寺(si)院(yuan),寺(si)院(yuan)中還置有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)各類塑神像(xiang)(xiang)。乾隆《中衛縣(xian)志》對石窟(ku)(ku)(ku)作過詳(xiang)細的(de)(de)(de)描述(shu):“寺(si)在(zai)半山,為(wei)(wei)兩院(yuan)。東(dong)院(yuan)山門內,重樓依山,樓下啟洞而入,中若著邃屋。……兩院(yuan)梯(ti)上(shang)階而上(shang),有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)真武閣、亦因山窟(ku)(ku)(ku)而室(shi)。轉西則新(xin)(xin)建(jian)佛殿巍然,內外各六楹。其(qi)前(qian)因山筑臺(tai),憑欄遠(yuan)眺,河(he)流(liu)環抱,村(cun)堡(bao)錯落(luo)。”由(you)于這里(li)是格里(li)騰大(da)沙(sha)漠的(de)(de)(de)南緣,風(feng)(feng)沙(sha)很大(da),加上(shang)晚清(qing)(qing)(qing)時(shi)期,社會(hui)動亂,農(nong)村(cun)調敝,寺(si)院(yuan)荒廢,無人(ren)維修,石窟(ku)(ku)(ku)逐被流(liu)沙(sha)淹埋。到了(le)本世(shi)紀40年(nian)代末,僅存一個群眾(zhong)稱為(wei)(wei)“九間(jian)沒梁洞”的(de)(de)(de)石窟(ku)(ku)(ku),洞前(qian)有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)寺(si)院(yuan)一座。“九間(jian)沒梁洞”寬為(wei)(wei)12.5米(mi),進深(shen)7.3米(mi),高(gao)約20余米(mi),窟(ku)(ku)(ku)室(shi)寬敞宏(hong)大(da),窟(ku)(ku)(ku)室(shi)前(qian)部門上(shang)方左右兩側各有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)一方形明(ming)窟(ku)(ku)(ku)。里(li)壁(bi)并列三個佛龕,東(dong)西兩邊(bian)各置佛壇,造像(xiang)(xiang)雖已殘破,但大(da)部分(fen)為(wei)(wei)精(jing)致的(de)(de)(de)明(ming)代彩(cai)塑;壁(bi)面有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)彩(cai)繪的(de)(de)(de)佛教故事,工筆(bi)細膩;窟(ku)(ku)(ku)頂彩(cai)繪西蕃(fan)蓮圖案,線條流(liu)暢。從80年(nian)代開始,為(wei)(wei)了(le)發掘被淹埋的(de)(de)(de)文化寶藏,有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)關方面組織(zhi)財(cai)力(li)、物力(li)、和人(ren)力(li),清(qing)(qing)(qing)除淤(yu)沙(sha),大(da)部分(fen)石窟(ku)(ku)(ku)及寺(si)院(yuan)遺址已被清(qing)(qing)(qing)理出(chu)來(lai)。同(tong)時(shi)正在(zai)整修,不(bu)久可供游(you)人(ren)游(you)覽。 石空寺(si)石窟(ku)(ku)(ku)始建(jian)于何時(shi),尚未準(zhun)確定論。明(ming)代《嘉靖(jing)寧夏(xia)新(xin)(xin)志》稱為(wei)(wei)“元故寺(si)”,這說明(ming)石空寺(si)石窟(ku)(ku)(ku)在(zai)元時(shi)已有(you)(you)(you)(you)(you)了(le)。明(ming)清(qing)(qing)(qing)時(shi),“石空夜燈(deng)”已是遠(yuan)近聞名的(de)(de)(de)風(feng)(feng)景區之(zhi)一。
石(shi)(shi)(shi)空(kong)(kong)寺(si)的(de)“石(shi)(shi)(shi)空(kong)(kong)夜(ye)燈(deng)(deng)”這(zhe)(zhe)個(ge)動(dong)人的(de)故事,早在(zai)明(ming)清時期已(yi)傳(chuan)遍雙(shuang)龍山(shan)(shan)(shan)南北(bei)。傳(chuan)說在(zai) 石(shi)(shi)(shi)空(kong)(kong)寺(si),每當夜(ye)暮降臨之(zhi)后(hou),有(you)一(yi)(yi)位仙女(nv)(nv)(nv)駕著彩云,自(zi)(zi)碧(bi)空(kong)(kong)飄(piao)飄(piao)而(er)來,她把珍珠(zhu)瑪(ma)瑙撒下(xia)人間,這(zhe)(zhe)些珍珠(zhu)寶貝閃閃發光(guang)(guang),光(guang)(guang)芒(mang)四射,為人們(men)照(zhao)(zhao)明(ming)。有(you)一(yi)(yi)天,一(yi)(yi)個(ge)小(xiao)伙(huo)子(zi)埋伏在(zai)仙女(nv)(nv)(nv)降臨的(de)地方,仙女(nv)(nv)(nv)撤完(wan)珠(zhu)寶以(yi)后(hou),正(zheng)要返回天宮時,小(xiao)伙(huo)子(zi)冒險上(shang)(shang)前求她永留人間,仙女(nv)(nv)(nv)拔下(xia)頭(tou)上(shang)(shang)的(de)玉(yu)簪,叫小(xiao)伙(huo)子(zi)把它插(cha)入石(shi)(shi)(shi)山(shan)(shan)(shan)上(shang)(shang)的(de)一(yi)(yi)條縫中(zhong)。轉眼間,仙女(nv)(nv)(nv)已(yi)無影無蹤,玉(yu)簪變(bian)成了(le)一(yi)(yi)把金鑰匙。小(xiao)伙(huo)子(zi)把它對準石(shi)(shi)(shi)縫,輕輕一(yi)(yi)插(cha),山(shan)(shan)(shan)崩地裂,一(yi)(yi)座座宮殿(dian)(dian)從(cong)山(shan)(shan)(shan)中(zhong)飛(fei)出。自(zi)(zi)此(ci),每當黑夜(ye)降臨,宮殿(dian)(dian)里的(de)燈(deng)(deng)火輝煌,鼓樂自(zi)(zi)鳴,仙女(nv)(nv)(nv)們(men)翩(pian)翩(pian)起(qi)舞,把人間照(zhao)(zhao)得通亮。當人們(men)爬上(shang)(shang)山(shan)(shan)(shan)腰(yao),走(zou)進(jin)宮殿(dian)(dian)時,突然燈(deng)(deng)息煙消(xiao),鼓偃舞停。宮殿(dian)(dian)原來是(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)個(ge)個(ge)石(shi)(shi)(shi)洞(dong),洞(dong)內(nei)是(shi)(shi)大(da)(da)大(da)(da)小(xiao)小(xiao)的(de)佛(fo)像和五顏六色的(de)壁畫,這(zhe)(zhe)就是(shi)(shi)中(zhong)寧石(shi)(shi)(shi)空(kong)(kong)寺(si)窟的(de)來歷。佛(fo)燈(deng)(deng)的(de)紅(hong)光(guang)(guang)從(cong)石(shi)(shi)(shi)洞(dong)里照(zhao)(zhao)射出來,遙(yao)(yao)望好似(si)星斗掛在(zai)空(kong)(kong)中(zhong),“石(shi)(shi)(shi)空(kong)(kong)”因此(ci)而(er)得名。 “夜(ye)空(kong)(kong)石(shi)(shi)(shi)燈(deng)(deng)”歷來就是(shi)(shi)寧夏十(shi)大(da)(da)景(jing)(jing)觀之(zhi)一(yi)(yi)。古人有(you)詩贊詠石(shi)(shi)(shi)空(kong)(kong)寺(si)石(shi)(shi)(shi)窟夜(ye)景(jing)(jing):“疊(die)嶂(zhang)玲(ling)瓏竦石(shi)(shi)(shi)空(kong)(kong),誰開蘭若(ruo)碧(bi)云中(zhong)。僧閑夜(ye)夜(ye)燃燈(deng)(deng)坐(zuo),遙(yao)(yao)見青山(shan)(shan)(shan)一(yi)(yi)滴紅(hong)。”
石(shi)(shi)空大(da)(da)佛(fo)寺(si),歷史源遠流長(chang),文化資源豐(feng)富,優越(yue)的歷史遺韻,蘊育了特色鮮明的人(ren)文景觀。石(shi)(shi)空寺(si)石(shi)(shi)窟俗稱大(da)(da)佛(fo)寺(si),位于寧(ning)夏中寧(ning)縣余(yu)丁鄉集(ji)鎮區東北角2公里處(chu)的雙(shuang)龍(long)山南麓和(he)金沙村界內。石(shi)(shi)空寺(si)歷史悠久,廟窟高大(da)(da)奇特。殿內塑像生動逼(bi)真,壁(bi)畫工筆細膩,是寧(ning)夏及(ji)毗(pi)鄰(lin)地區不可多得的佛(fo)教勝地和(he)觀光游(you)覽景點。
石(shi)空大佛寺(si)(si)(si)石(shi)窟(ku)開鑿(zao)于唐代。據史書《隴右金(jin)石(shi)錄》、《甘(gan)肅新(xin)通(tong)志》記載(zai):"石(shi)空寺(si)(si)(si)以(yi)寺(si)(si)(si)得名(ming),寺(si)(si)(si)創(chuang)于唐時,就山形(xing)鑿(zao)石(shi)窟(ku),窟(ku)內造像(xiang)皆唐制。"可以(yi)說,它是唐代絲綢之(zhi)路(lu)上一處重(zhong)要的宗教(jiao)文化遺址,1961年被寧夏回族自治區人民政(zheng)府(fu)公布為(wei)重(zhong)點文物保護單位。
據史料(liao)記載,大(da)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)寺分上、中(zhong)、下三(san)寺,共(gong)有石窟十(shi)(shi)(shi)三(san)個,自西向東分別為(wei)∶焰光(guang)洞、萬佛(fo)(fo)(fo)洞、石子觀音(yin)洞、老君洞、三(san)清洞、玉皇洞、無量洞、九(jiu)間(jian)無梁洞、財神(shen)洞、藥王洞、娘娘洞、龍王洞、睡佛(fo)(fo)(fo)洞。其中(zhong)數九(jiu)間(jian)無梁洞(又稱九(jiu)間(jian)無梁寺,位於(wu)中(zhong)寺處)規模較(jiao)為(wei)宏大(da),是大(da)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)寺的中(zhong)心,洞高(gao)二十(shi)(shi)(shi)五米(mi),深十(shi)(shi)(shi)五米(mi),寬(kuan)十(shi)(shi)(shi)三(san)米(mi),內塑八(ba)十(shi)(shi)(shi)八(ba)佛(fo)(fo)(fo),加上菩薩、羅漢(han)、供養人等共(gong)有三(san)百(bai)六十(shi)(shi)(shi)尊之多。
上(shang)寺(si)(si)有(you)(you)靈光(guang)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)四(si)(si).五(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)八(ba)(ba).九米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)五(wu)(wu).九米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)覆(fu)斗狀,里(li)面(mian)(mian)塑(su)(su)有(you)(you)地(di)(di)(di)藏王(wang)菩薩;百(bai)(bai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)觀音洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)二(er).五(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi).五(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)兩(liang)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),塑(su)(su)有(you)(you)百(bai)(bai)子(zi)(zi)(zi)觀音;萬佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)四(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)八(ba)(ba).二(er)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)六(liu)(liu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),里(li)面(mian)(mian)塑(su)(su)有(you)(you)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)像(xiang)、羅漢,頂上(shang)塑(su)(su)有(you)(you)許多小(xiao)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)像(xiang),其(qi)神熊(xiong)各異,栩(xu)栩(xu)如(ru)生(sheng),神熊(xiong)慈(ci)悲安(an)禪。以上(shang)三(san)(san)(san)(san)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)均在二(er)層(ceng)樓閣上(shang)。第一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)層(ceng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)大(da)雄寶(bao)殿(dian)(dian),塑(su)(su)有(you)(you)華嚴三(san)(san)(san)(san)圣,中(zhong)間釋迦(jia)(jia)牟尼(ni)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo),持說(shuo)法(fa)(fa)(fa)狀,佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)像(xiang)高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),金剛座(zuo)、阿(a)難(nan)、迦(jia)(jia)葉護(hu)法(fa)(fa)(fa),兩(liang)旁文殊騎孔雀神獅,普賢騎六(liu)(liu)牙大(da)象,殿(dian)(dian)宇金碧輝(hui)煌。其(qi)次還有(you)(you)福祿(lu)壽三(san)(san)(san)(san)星洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi).九米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi).九米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)三(san)(san)(san)(san).二(er)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),里(li)面(mian)(mian)有(you)(you)壁(bi)(bi)(bi)(bi)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)。三(san)(san)(san)(san)清洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)四(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)五(wu)(wu).七米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。寬(kuan)(kuan)六(liu)(liu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),也(ye)就是(shi)(shi)至2018年的(de)大(da)雄寶(bao)殿(dian)(dian)的(de)左右(you)(you)配殿(dian)(dian)。玉皇洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)四(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)五(wu)(wu).七米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。無(wu)量洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)兩(liang)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)四(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。 正(zheng)(zheng)面(mian)(mian)有(you)(you)3個(ge)大(da)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)龕(kan),正(zheng)(zheng)中(zhong)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)龕(kan)五(wu)(wu)身(shen)群像(xiang),居中(zhong)的(de)大(da)坐(zuo)(zuo)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)達5米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)石(shi)(shi)胎(tai)泥塑(su)(su)而成(cheng),儀(yi)態雍(yong)容。后壁(bi)(bi)(bi)(bi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)火焰(yan)(yan)光(guang)環,佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)龕(kan)兩(liang)側各有(you)(you)彩(cai)(cai)(cai)色(se)(se)壁(bi)(bi)(bi)(bi)畫(hua)(hua)(hua),色(se)(se)彩(cai)(cai)(cai)艷(yan)麗,可(ke)與(yu)敦煌石(shi)(shi)窟的(de)唐代(dai)壁(bi)(bi)(bi)(bi)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)相(xiang)(xiang)媲美。 中(zhong)寺(si)(si)是(shi)(shi)九間無(wu)梁寺(si)(si)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong),它是(shi)(shi)整個(ge)石(shi)(shi)窟中(zhong)心。這個(ge)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)寬(kuan)(kuan)敞宏大(da),寬(kuan)(kuan)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)百(bai)(bai)二(er)十(shi)(shi)五(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)約二(er)十(shi)(shi)五(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),進(jin)深(shen)(shen)七百(bai)(bai)二(er)十(shi)(shi)四(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),上(shang)面(mian)(mian)有(you)(you)三(san)(san)(san)(san)個(ge)大(da)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)龕(kan),正(zheng)(zheng)中(zhong)大(da)龕(kan)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)龕(kan)五(wu)(wu)身(shen)群像(xiang),本尊是(shi)(shi)石(shi)(shi)胎(tai)泥塑(su)(su)的(de)釋迦(jia)(jia)牟尼(ni)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)座(zuo)身(shen),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)五(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),螺發,圓(yuan)臉、長(chang)眉(mei)大(da)眼(yan),耳(er)垂至肩,袒胸盤膝(xi),身(shen)穿紅(hong)色(se)(se)袈(jia)娑外衣(yi),姿熊(xiong)雍(yong)容溫和(he)慈(ci)祥,左右(you)(you)兩(liang)菩薩頭(tou)戴花(hua)冠,頸(jing)佩瓔珞,袒胸露臂,腕戴釧(chuan)鐲,著貼身(shen)長(chang)群,系彩(cai)(cai)(cai)色(se)(se)腰圍,臉部豐(feng)滿,長(chang)眉(mei)大(da)眼(yan),鼻子(zi)(zi)(zi)微微隆起(qi),頜下有(you)(you)條(tiao)弧線,額正(zheng)(zheng)中(zhong)眉(mei)宇間有(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)顆紅(hong)色(se)(se)吉祥痣。造(zao)型似盛唐時風格(ge),形熊(xiong)動人,原有(you)(you)阿(a)難(nan),迦(jia)(jia)葉兩(liang)弟子(zi)(zi)(zi)像(xiang)站陪,現已傾倒(dao)毀(hui)壞。後(hou)壁(bi)(bi)(bi)(bi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)火焰(yan)(yan)光(guang)環,兩(liang)側有(you)(you)彩(cai)(cai)(cai)色(se)(se)壁(bi)(bi)(bi)(bi)畫(hua)(hua)(hua),從(cong)脫落的(de)部分(fen)觀察,壁(bi)(bi)(bi)(bi)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)有(you)(you)里(li)外兩(liang)層(ceng),外層(ceng)繪有(you)(you)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)經(jing)故事,如(ru)迦(jia)(jia)葉渡(du)海等(deng)人物造(zao)型,色(se)(se)彩(cai)(cai)(cai)運用(yong)、氣氛(fen)渲(xuan)染等(deng)方(fang)面(mian)(mian)都表現出較高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)的(de)藝術手法(fa)(fa)(fa)。里(li)層(ceng)時代(dai)更早,顏(yan)色(se)(se)多已氧化(hua)。從(cong)色(se)(se)調(diao)看(kan),與(yu)敦煌唐代(dai)彩(cai)(cai)(cai)繪相(xiang)(xiang)似。石(shi)(shi)窟兩(liang)壁(bi)(bi)(bi)(bi)均有(you)(you)各種佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)像(xiang),分(fen)三(san)(san)(san)(san)排陳列(lie),都是(shi)(shi)盤腿而坐(zuo)(zuo),身(shen)著袈(jia)裟(sha)外衣(yi),每排八(ba)(ba)、九尊,據稱共(gong)八(ba)(ba)十(shi)(shi)八(ba)(ba)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)。窟頂繪有(you)(you)彩(cai)(cai)(cai)色(se)(se)番蓮花(hua)圖案的(de)藻井(jing),窟底為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)方(fang)磚(zhuan)鋪(pu)地(di)(di)(di),可(ke)站立(li)三(san)(san)(san)(san)百(bai)(bai)多人禮佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)。下寺(si)(si)有(you)(you)五(wu)(wu)個(ge)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)窟,第一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)個(ge)可(ke)能(neng)是(shi)(shi)住僧人的(de),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)四(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)三(san)(san)(san)(san).六(liu)(liu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),里(li)面(mian)(mian)還鑿有(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)個(ge)小(xiao)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)十(shi)(shi)五(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。第二(er)個(ge)是(shi)(shi)娘(niang)娘(niang)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong),第三(san)(san)(san)(san)個(ge)是(shi)(shi)藥(yao)王(wang)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)二(er).五(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)○.六(liu)(liu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi).四(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。第四(si)(si)個(ge)是(shi)(shi)龍(long)王(wang)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)三(san)(san)(san)(san).五(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)四(si)(si)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)二(er).九米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)。第五(wu)(wu)個(ge)是(shi)(shi)睡佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)洞(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong),高(gao)(gao)(gao)(gao)四(si)(si).五(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),深(shen)(shen)九米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),寬(kuan)(kuan)三(san)(san)(san)(san).五(wu)(wu)米(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi)(mi),內塑(su)(su)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)涅盤像(xiang),阿(a)難(nan),迦(jia)(jia)葉等(deng)十(shi)(shi)大(da)弟子(zi)(zi)(zi)待立(li)身(shen)後(hou)。至2018年上(shang)寺(si)(si)和(he)下寺(si)(si)已具(ju)規模,上(shang)寺(si)(si)三(san)(san)(san)(san)層(ceng)樓閣式主殿(dian)(dian)、配殿(dian)(dian)、禪房、齋(zhai)房齊(qi)備。一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)進(jin)山(shan)門即可(ke)看(kan)見笑容滿面(mian)(mian)的(de)彌勒佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo),背後(hou)是(shi)(shi)韋馱,兩(liang)側有(you)(you)四(si)(si)大(da)天(tian)王(wang)護(hu)法(fa)(fa)(fa),天(tian)王(wang)殿(dian)(dian)氣勢雄偉,每逢農歷四(si)(si)月初(chu)八(ba)(ba)前後(hou),各地(di)(di)(di)得客信徒云集而來,朝山(shan)拜(bai)佛(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)(fo)、看(kan)戲、經(jing)商、游(you)覽,人山(shan)人海,熱(re)鬧非凡。
萬佛(fo)(fo)洞(dong)(dong)和(he)焰(yan)(yan)光洞(dong)(dong)規模也很大,兩(liang)(liang)洞(dong)(dong)鑿(zao)于半(ban)山腰,洞(dong)(dong)窟(ku)各(ge)(ge)高(gao)5米(mi),深(shen)10米(mi),寬(kuan)6米(mi)。萬佛(fo)(fo)洞(dong)(dong)正面佛(fo)(fo)龕塑(su)金身釋伽牟(mou)尼坐(zuo)像(xiang),兩(liang)(liang)側為侍立菩薩(sa),窟(ku)頂及兩(liang)(liang)壁貼(tie)塑(su)無(wu)數小佛(fo)(fo),號稱萬佛(fo)(fo)像(xiang)。焰(yan)(yan)光洞(dong)(dong)正中佛(fo)(fo)龕,上邊塑(su)焰(yan)(yan)光佛(fo)(fo),下邊塑(su)地藏(zang)菩薩(sa),洞(dong)(dong)窟(ku)兩(liang)(liang)側塑(su)有(you)(you)十殿閻(yan)君,形體高(gao)大威猛,神(shen)態各(ge)(ge)異。兩(liang)(liang)窟(ku)中間開有(you)(you)一個高(gao)3米(mi),寬(kuan)2米(mi),深(shen)1.5米(mi)的(de)小窟(ku),內塑(su)百子觀音坐(zuo)像(xiang),窟(ku)壁塑(su)無(wu)數天真(zhen)孩童,活潑可愛。洞(dong)(dong)窟(ku)外(wai)面建有(you)(you)靠(kao)山樓三(san)層(ceng),三(san)窟(ku)洞(dong)(dong)口均在(zai)二(er)層(ceng)樓內,樓閣高(gao)聳巍峨,氣(qi)勢雄(xiong)宏,與洞(dong)(dong)窟(ku)渾然一體,形成藝術組合。其建筑手法和(he)外(wai)形與敦(dun)煌莫(mo)高(gao)窟(ku)一脈相承。
大(da)(da)佛(fo)(fo)寺自(zi)唐(tang)代(dai)(dai)開鑿(zao)以(yi)來,在一(yi)千(qian)多年(nian)(nian)(nian)的(de)滄桑歲(sui)月中幾經(jing)興(xing)衰,從遺存的(de)大(da)(da)量明代(dai)(dai)嘉(jia)靖年(nian)(nian)(nian)間的(de)銘(ming)文來看,明代(dai)(dai)進(jin)行過較大(da)(da)規(gui)模(mo)的(de)維修(xiu)擴建。清末洞窟被(bei)流(liu)沙(sha)掩埋,使(shi)得窟內文物得以(yi)幸存下(xia)(xia)來。1981至(zhi)1983年(nian)(nian)(nian)間,大(da)(da)佛(fo)(fo)寺上寺和(he)下(xia)(xia)寺部分洞窟經(jing)寧(ning)夏(xia)回族自(zi)治區文物管(guan)(guan)理委(wei)員會發掘,深埋地下(xia)(xia)的(de)千(qian)年(nian)(nian)(nian)文物重見天(tian)日。隨(sui)后,寧(ning)夏(xia)回族自(zi)治區文物管(guan)(guan)理委(wei)員會陸續維修(xiu)了(le)娘(niang)娘(niang)洞、睡佛(fo)(fo)洞、龍王(wang)洞,修(xiu)復了(le)靠山樓、菩薩殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、虔(qian)心殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、大(da)(da)雄殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、天(tian)王(wang)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、藥師佛(fo)(fo)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、阿彌(mi)陀佛(fo)(fo)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)、禪堂、凈寶、山門等(deng)古建筑。至(zhi)2018年(nian)(nian)(nian)大(da)(da)佛(fo)(fo)寺已初具規(gui)模(mo),其它洞窟因(yin)資金、技術(shu)等(deng)原(yuan)因(yin)尚未修(xiu)復。特別是(shi)規(gui)模(mo)宏(hong)大(da)(da)的(de)九間無梁寺到至(zhi)2018年(nian)(nian)(nian)為止仍掩埋于漫(man)漫(man)黃沙(sha)下(xia)(xia)。