Mogao Cave 417: Illustration of the Medicine Buddha Sutra

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Sui dynasty

This mural is on the flat ceiling at the rear of the cave and is the earliest extant illustration of the Medicine Buddha Sutra within the caves of Dunhuang. The Medicine Buddha is surrounded by the Eight Great Bodhisattvas and the Twelve Yaska Generals, with a tree-shaped lantern in front of him. The Buddha forms the vitarka (teaching) mudra and is seated in full lotus position on a lotus throne in the center. while attendant Bodhisattvas stand to each side. According to the Sutra of the Seven Medicine Buddhas, the Eight Great Bodhisattvas are identified as Mahasthamaprapta, Avalokitesvara, Aksayamati, Ratna Candana Kusuma, Manjusri, Maitreya, Bhaisajyasamudgata, and Bhaisajyaraja. Those who earnestly chant the name of the Medicine Buddha are believed to be received by these eight Bodhisattvas to the Western Pure Land upon their death. The Bodhisattvas have round nimbuses and wear jeweled crowns, necklaces, long stoles, and colorful lower garments. Each forms a different mudra and stands barefoot on a lotus pedestal. In front of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas are 12 kneeling yaksas generals, six on each side. They face the tree-shaped lantern in the center with palms joined in reverence.