Mogao Cave 45: Illustration of the Lotus Sutra - Universal Gateway Chapter

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty

This mural from the High Tang period (712–756) is located on the south wall in the main chamber and illustrates the “Universal Gateway Chapter” of the Lotus Sutra. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva stands at the center of the mural, wearing a headdress with a small Buddha image in the center. The figure has a full face and wide shoulders. A stole is draped diagonally across the chest, and ornaments are worn around the neck and arms. A vase is held in the left hand. Above the Bodhisattva is a canopy decorated with wish-fulfilling jewels. The bottom portion of the mural is damaged.
Scenes of Avalokitesvara’s Thirty-Three Manifestations are shown on either side of the Bodhisattva. Each manifestation is accompanied by a descriptive cartouche and is depicted within a mountain landscape. From left to right, the following manifestations are above and to the left of the central figure: the Heavenly King Vaisravana, Heavenly General, Mahesvara, Isvara, and Sakra. The second row depicts a prince, a monk, a nun, a layman, a laywoman, a young man, a young woman, a brahmin, a woman, and a minister. In the bottom row are scenes of Avalokitesvara rescuing people from dangers, including being chased by bandits, falling from a cliff, and being pushed into a fire pit.
On the right side of the central figure, the following manifestations are located on the top row: Brahma, Sravaka, Pratyekabuddha, Buddha, and a Bodhisattva accepting offerings from devotees. Below these are more scenes from the sutra of individuals being aided by the Bodhisattva, including: an ignorant person, a person who wants children, a person suffering from lust, a person encountering vengeful foes, a person encountering dragons and ghosts, an angry person, and merchants encountering bandits. The bottom row depicts merchants encountering makaras and raksasas at sea.