阙形龛【英】

palace-shaped niche

定义

1）佛龛形式之一，阙为分别立于宫殿、祠宇、陵墓前神道两侧的建筑物，是礼仪的象征。2）早期洞窟的主要特征之一。阙是古代的一种礼制建筑,设置在城门、殿堂、祠墓道路两侧。阙形龛在石窟中多用来表示弥勒居住的兜率天宫,所以龛内塑弥勒像。

1) It is one shape of the niches: the structure of a watchtower is the emblem of ancient traditions built on both sides of palaces, temples or roads to graveyards.2) It is one of the main features of the earlier grottoes. The structure of a watchtower is conventionally built on both sides of ancient city gates, palaces or roads to graveyards. Among the grottoes, a palace-shaped niche mostly represents the Tusita Heaven where Maitreya lives, so the statue of Maitreya is often molded in such a niche.