LO-YANG

Disciples of the Buddha, Lung-men caves, Lo-yang, China Pinyin Luoyang, formerly called Honan-fu, commonly known as Honan city in northwestern Honan sheng (province), China. It was important in history as the capital of nine ruling dynasties and as a Buddhist centre. Lo-yang is divided into an east town and a west town. Lo-i (modern Lo-yang) was founded at the beginning of the Chou dynasty (late 12th century BC), near the present west town, as the residence of the imperial kings. It became the Chou capital in 771 BC and was later moved to a site northeast of the present east town; it was named Lo-yang because it was north (yang) of the Lo River, and its ruins are now distinguished as the ancient city of Lo-yang. The city of the Han period (206 BCAD 220) was located approximately on the site of the ancient Lo-i but was called Lo-yang. This name alternated with the name Honan-fu until modern times. Lo-yang did not become the Han capital until the 1st century AD, at the beginning of the Eastern Han period, though its economic importance had been recognized earlier. In AD 68 the Pai-ma-ssu (White Horse Temple), one of the earliest Buddhist foundations in China, was built about 9 miles (14 km) east of the modern east town. During the 4th century Lo-yang changed hands several times between the rulers of Eastern Chin, Later Chao, and Yen, and it did not prosper again until 494, when it was revived by Hsiao-wen ti of the Northern Wei dynasty (386534). The Northern Wei emperors ordered the construction of cave temples at Lung-men, south of the city. This inaugurated one of the greatest centres of Chinese Buddhism, the surviving sculptures of which are of prime importance to the history of Chinese art. As the eastern capital of the T'ang dynasty (618907), Lo-yang was expanded and the part now constituting the east town was created. After a rebellion in the mid-8th century, however, Lo-yang fell into an economic decline, which lasted until the mid-20th century. A tractor plant and other factories were built after 1949, and Lo-yang soon became a leading industrial and commercial centre. Cotton, wheat, and other crops grown in the region are processed in the city. It is the hub of several highways and lies on the Longhai railroad (connecting Su-chou with Sian). Pop. (1990) 759,752.