Mogao Cave 217

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang

Situated in the central section of the south area of the site, this Early Tang period (618–712) shrine cave is composed of an antechamber and a main chamber connected by a corridor. The antechamber and the corridor were renovated during the Late Tang period (846–907). The only remaining High Tang (712–756) images are donor figures above the doorway on the back (west) wall of the antechamber. On each side of the doorway is a Heavenly King, and on the north and south walls are illustrations of Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas. In the corridor, the slopes of the ceiling feature images of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and the Ten Kings of Hell, with donor figures on both walls.
The main chamber has a truncated pyramidal ceiling. The ceiling is embellished with a large floral medallion in the center. The Thousand Buddhas are painted on the four slopes of the ceiling. The niche on the back wall houses a Buddha statue that was repaired during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). On the flat ceiling of the niche is a painting of the Buddha teaching the Dharma, and on the walls, between the nimbuses of the original statues, are images of disciples and Bodhisattvas. Beside the niche are images of Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas, and below are the faded images of the donors Yin Siqong and Yin Siyu from the family of Yin Sizhang.
On the north wall is an illustration of the Amitayurdhyana Sutra, with Amitabha Buddha, Avalokitesvara, and Mahasthamaprapta in the center, surrounded by an assembly of Bodhisattvas. The shrines and pavilions in the upper register provide balance to the composition, with perspective employed to direct the viewer’s focus toward the Buddha in the center. In the lower register are musicians, dancers, and lotus-born children. On the right side of the north wall are scenes from the Sixteen Contemplations. On the south wall is an illustration of the Lotus Sutra, with the Buddha teaching the Dharma at Vulture Peak in the center. The Buddha sits in full lotus position, radiating white light from the urna between his eyebrows. Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas are seated to each side of the Buddha, while Bodhisattvas and disciples gather to hear the Dharma. Narrative illustrations from the chapters of the sutra surround the teaching scene. The illustrations cover the south wall and extend onto part of the front (east) wall, with the “Universal Gateway Chapter” prominently featured on the front wall.