In a sparsely populated place in China, there is a group of "the most extreme workers". They do tiring work every day, sometimes even 24 hours without rest, and their lives may be in danger.
There are people in this group who are highly educated, and there are people who have never been to school. However, what they have in common is that their annual salaries are only 600 yuan, and the highest is only 1,200 yuan.
At today's level of spending, this money is simply not enough. This also makes one wonder, what is the reason why this group of people are still willing to stay here?
The source in this article comes from the official media [China.com, People's Daily, Red Star News] (the link is attached at the end of the article), but in order to improve the readability of the article, the details may be polished, please read sensibly, for reference only!
The Bashu Grottoes are all-encompassing
The Bashu Grottoes carry rich cultural connotation and unique artistic charm, which can be called the treasure of the Chinese nation. They have a long history, originating from the practice of ancient Indian Buddhists, and after thousands of years, they were introduced to China around the time of the Sixteen Kingdoms.
In the land of Sichuan and Chongqing, the Bashu Grottoes present a unique style. First of all, there are many shapes, and the sizes are staggered. The magnificent Leshan Giant Buddha is undoubtedly the most famous representative, and the 71-meter-high colossus stands at the foot of Mount Emei, overlooking the mortal dust.
In remote mountains, it is also common to find delicate stone niches the size of palms, which enshrine a statue of Buddha or Bodhisattva, and the beauty of details can be seen everywhere.
It is this kind of uneven size, high and low distribution state, so that the Bashu Grottoes are full of fireworks in the world, and integrate with the mountains and villages.
Secondly, the subject matter is rich and colorful, not only Buddhist statues, but also sculptures of folk gods such as the chicken god, the sheep god, the ox king, the horse king, and even the civilian professions such as plasterers, pig killers, and bricklayers are also among them.
Mortal beings sit side by side with the gods and Buddhas, integrating the theme of secular life into religious statues, this unique practice highlights the all-encompassing characteristics of the Bashu Grottoes.
Moreover, the Bashu Grottoes are dotted around, stretching for thousands of miles, and the number ranks first in the country. There are 401 in Sichuan alone, 170 in Chongqing, and 39 are listed as national key cultural relics protection units.
It can be seen how devout the country of Buddhism was once in this land. In order to pray for fame, national peace and security, health and longevity, the ancient people spontaneously went to the mountains and fields to dig cave shrines, and behind each stone statue, there is a pious and simple good wish.
It is precisely because of the photographer Yuan Rongsun's unremitting pursuit of the traces of these stone carvings for many years and recording them that we have the opportunity to learn about these, see the exquisite grotto art, and also know the "most extreme workers".
Devastated by natural and man-made disasters
During the Tang Dynasty, Buddhism flourished in Sichuan and Chongqing, and newly built cave temples can be seen everywhere. The excavation of these caves was not initiated by the government or monasteries, but by the people's own initiative.
Rich or poor, as long as they have a certain material foundation and excavation conditions, they can spend their own money to dig grottoes in order to accumulate merit.
The wealthy paid more and were able to dig large cave groups and carve ornate large Buddha statues. They invest huge sums of money in order to accumulate enough merit in the next life to obtain a better fate.
For example, the famous Lady Qian Grottoes were dug with the funding of the wealthy Qian E.
As for the poor people, although they could not afford to dig large grottoes, they would also carve out palm-sized niches in the rock walls with their pious hearts, and place small individual Buddha statues.
Although it is small in scale, it also carries their sincere prayers to the Buddha, hoping that by accumulating this merit, they can gain peace in the next life.
No matter how big or small, the ultimate purpose behind the excavation of the grottoes is to accumulate merit in this life and this life, in the hope of obtaining better fortune in the next life. Unfortunately, this pious wish was not fully fulfilled.
After the devastation of war, natural disasters and man-made disasters, the Bashu grottoes have been dilapidated. Those stone carvings of the Buddha that were once lifelike and have thousands of postures are now incomplete or in different places, and the majestic scenes of those years only exist in the imagination.
There are very few caves that have been preserved intact, which is really a sigh of relief. Even so, there are still many cave guards who remain, silently repairing them.
"The Most Extreme Worker"
In the land of Bashu, there is a group of unknown guardians, who use their lifelong dedication to guard the grotto cultural heritage here, they are the "cave keepers" of the Bashu Grottoes.
Most of the "cave keepers" are local villagers who devote themselves to this business out of their love for the cultural heritage of their hometown.
Their responsibilities include protecting cultural relics from theft or destruction, maintaining a clean environment in the grottoes, and explaining the cultural connotations of the grottoes to visitors. However, behind this seemingly simple job, there are hidden difficult living conditions and lonely long years.
Most of the grottoes are located in remote mountainous areas, and transportation is not convenient. Some "cave guards" even need to be stationed near the grotto for a long time, on standby 24 hours a day to prevent theft at night, and only accompany the Buddha statues.
What's more, in some places the conditions are so bad that not only are they unable to enjoy the holidays, but even basic living facilities are lacking.
In addition, in terms of remuneration, the early "cave keepers" were undoubtedly the most difficult. According to an old man's recollection, in the fifties and sixties of the last century, the staff who protected the caves of the Potala Palace had a monthly salary of only 5 yuan.
At today's prices, it is equivalent to living expenses of only a dozen yuan a month. In those days, even food and clothing could not be solved. Therefore, many "cave keepers" have to rely on farming and breeding to make a living.
Even today, the intensity of work has increased dramatically and the level of danger has increased day by day, but the increase in remuneration packages is still limited.
The monthly income of cultural preservation personnel engaged in ordinary grottoes is about 600-800 yuan; The monthly salary of the employees in charge of the national key cultural relics protection units is only 1,200 yuan.
For a high-risk job that is long in a difficult environment and threatened by thieves, such a pay is undoubtedly meager.
However, it is this group of silent guardians, with their perseverance and enthusiasm, to protect the cultural treasures of the Bashu Grottoes, so that this treasure can be passed down from generation to generation.
For example, Uncle Ju Xiulin, who used to be an ordinary director of the village committee, later volunteered as a clerk of the Princess Temple, and fought bravely with armed thieves at night and successfully preserved the cultural relics of the Princess Temple.
Another example is Yang Zhiyong, a cultural conservator named Yang Zhiyong, who inherited his legacy, gave up his high-paying job, adhered to the belief that "cultural relics cannot be left alone", and took over his brother's position.
There is also a 68-year-old Pan Yuanju, who was once a clerk with her husband, but unfortunately encountered thieves during the day, and fought desperately with the thieves, and finally succeeded in preventing the thieves from escaping and saving the stolen Buddha head.
Another Mr. Alatenda, who has been fond of the Ulan Agui Cave Temple in his hometown since he was a child, later voluntarily gave up his high-paying job and devoted himself to working as a clerk, hoping to arouse the awareness of the local people to protect the culture of his hometown.
Protecting thousand-year-old cultural treasures
Walking through the mountains and mountains of the land of Bashu, the grottoes are like pearls embedded in the cliffs, and they are still radiant after the baptism of vicissitudes. These grottoes are not only architectural heritages, but also contain the splendid civilization of the Chinese nation.
Every inch of the stone wall and every sculpture of the grotto embodies the crystallization of the wisdom and artistic essence of the ancestors. Those lifelike reliefs convey the Buddha's compassion and benevolence.
Those gorgeous and colorful murals depict the scene of the prosperous era. The intricately carved statues show a high level of skill.
All these carry rare historical and cultural information, and witness the development and progress of the Chinese nation in many fields such as art, Buddhism, and handicrafts.
However, the years have passed like a white horse, and the turbulent wars and rampant theft have led to the looting and destruction of countless cultural relics in the past. Fortunately, on the land of the motherland, there is still a group of silent guardians who are sticking to their posts.
They guard these cultural treasures that have been passed down for thousands of years with sincerity, and they are known as "cave keepers". Most of them come from the local countryside and have been unswervingly guarding the grotto relics in their hometown all their lives.
Not moved by fame and fortune, only for the original intention of protecting the ancestral heritage. They patrol the depths of the caves every day to prevent thieves from stealing antiquities.
They stuck to their posts in the cold winter and heat, and endured the torture of the harsh environment; They even go so far as to fight the thieves, treating artifacts as important as their lives.
However, it seems that the attention and support of society for this group of silent guardians is far from enough. Their work pay has been low for a long time, and the salary level is often only a few hundred yuan, which is not even enough for food and clothing.
Their working environment is extremely difficult, and the four seasons are unbearable. They are far away from their families all year round, lonely for a long time, and the world is often easy to ignore their presence and dedication.
epilogue
In fact, these "cave guards" are the guardians of the Chinese civilization, and what they protect is not only the grottoes themselves, but also the splendid culture condensed in them.
We should give them enough respect and attention, create a better working environment and living conditions for them, and let the cultural pearl of this hot land shine forever.
At the same time, we should also promote the grotto culture and let more people understand the rich connotations contained in it.
Just as those masters of art interpret and spread the grotto culture in their own unique ways, each of us can sing the spirit of this national culture with our lives through our own forms.
This is the remembrance of our ancestors and the love of civilization. Between the mountains of Bashu, in the grottoes inlaid in the rock walls, the light of the civilization of the Chinese nation since ancient times must always shine.
Resources:
China.com - Cave guards in the depths of Qilian Mountain: The Buddha statue of Jinta Temple is a companion, and the "solitary" boils out the "taste"
People's Daily——
Red Star News——