Bezeklik Cave 18: Illustration of the Medicine Buddha Sutra

CHINA, Xinjiang, Turpan

This painting, originally located on the south wall of the main chamber, illustrates the Medicine Buddha Sutra. In the center of the upper register is the Medicine Buddha, whose face is damaged. The Buddha sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne, wearing a loose robe tied at the waist. His hand forms the vitarka (teaching) mudra. Flanking the Medicine Buddha are Suryaprabha and Candraprabha Bodhisattvas, who sit on lotus thrones with elaborate canopies above them. They are surrounded by other Bodhisattvas, heavenly beings, and monks with palms joined in reverence. To the lower right are the Twelve Yaksa Generals. On the lower left, the Nine Luminaries appear holding objects such as suns, moons, and various musical instruments.
At the bottom of this illustration is a horizontal painting divided by staggered vertical cartouches. The cartouches divide 30 interconnected scenes, which are thought to relate to the Medicine Buddha’s twelve vows and the practitioner’s avoidance of the nine kinds of untimely deaths.