Mogao Cave 320

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang

Located in the northern section of the south area, this shrine cave was constructed during the High Tang period (712–756). The cave has a corridor leading into the main chamber that was renovated during the Song dynasty (960–1279), and the main chamber has a truncated pyramidal ceiling. The ceiling is well preserved with bright, vivid colors. The caisson center is decorated with a circular floral design and surrounded by square border patterns. Thousand Buddhas cover the four slopes of the ceiling.
A large rectangular niche occupies much of the back (west) wall. It has a flat ceiling and contains statues of the Buddha, the disciple Mahakasyapa, and two Bodhisattvas. A fifth statue of another disciple is now missing. On the flat ceiling of the niche is an image of a Buddha seated with legs pendent, teaching the Dharma. The Buddha is flanked by two disciples, four Bodhisattvas, and two Heavenly Kings, and the figures are surrounded by clouds. Painted in the niche on the back wall are four disciples and a Bodhisattva on each side. Outside the niche, one more Bodhisattva is painted on each side of the back wall. The colors in these murals have faded, making the simple lines more pronounced. Below the niche are images of donors and lions which were painted during the Song dynasty, and beneath these are images of figures making offerings from the High Tang period.
On the south wall is an illustration of the Amitabha Sutra, with Amitabha Buddha flanked by Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas. The two Bodhisattva images have been removed. Above Amitabha Buddha is an elaborate canopy and apsaras with animated postures spreading flowers on either side. In a lotus pond depicted below the Buddha are heavenly musicians and dancers, as well as Bodhisattvas making offerings on lotus thrones. On the lower portion of the south wall are 17 male donors painted in the Song dynasty.
On the north wall is an illustration of the Amitayurdhyana Sutra, with Amitabha Buddha in the center, flanked by Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas. Below are musicians and dancers on platforms over a lotus pond with lotus-born children. To each side are vertical panels with illustrations of the story of Ajatasatru and the Sixteen Contemplations. At either end of the north wall are illustrations of Bodhisattvas and monks making offerings from the Mid-Tang period (756–846), and below these are 17 female donors from the Song dynasty.
Above the entrance on the front (east) wall are Thousand Buddhas from the Song dynasty and on either side of the entrance are Bodhisattvas, some of them making offerings, from the Song and Yuan (1271–1368) dynasties.