Mogao Cave 148: Illustration of the Maitreya Sutras

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty

This mural on the upper south wall of the main chamber dates to the High Tang period (712–756). In the upper register is a depiction of the Sutra on the Ascent of Maitreya. A large palace extends across the top of the illustration. A cartouche at the main entrance to the palace identifies it as Tusita Heaven. Maitreya Bodhisattva sits on a throne in the center of the courtyard, surrounded by Bodhisattvas and Heavenly Kings. The image represents Maitreya’s present home in Tusita Heaven, where the Bodhisattva awaits rebirth in the human realm.
Below this is an illustration of the Sutra on the Descent of Maitreya. Having descended to the human realm and attained Buddhahood, Maitreya is shown sitting on a throne, teaching the Dharma for the first time. Maitreya Buddha is flanked by Lotus Grove Bodhisattva and Great Wonderful Appearance Bodhisattva, as well as other Bodhisattvas, Heavenly Kings, and warriors. An incense burner rests on an altar below Maitreya, and canopies hang overhead. To each side of the central assembly, similar gatherings are shown, with Maitreya seated with legs pendent in the center, accompanied by noble beings. These represent the second and third teaching assemblies of Maitreya. Below is an illustration of the city of Ketumati after the rebirth of Maitreya. Scenes from various stories in the Sutra on the Descent of Maitreya are depicted, including the renunciation of King Sankha and the Buddha’s mother, the Naga King Tarasikhin sprinkling water at midnight, the yaksa Bhadraprasasaka sweeping the ground clean, the woman who married at the age of 500, cloth growing from trees, seven harvests reaped from one planting, and others.