Maijishan Grotto 76

CHINA, Gansu, Tianshui

This grotto is located in the lower middle section on the east side of the west cliff, just above Grotto 74. Excavated during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534), the grotto is small with an elaborate ceiling. There are 13 niches altogether. The Buddhas in the niches form the dhyana (meditation) mudra with both hands. Although the grotto is in moderately good condition with bright colors still intact, the right side of the entrance and the figures making offerings on the side walls reveal significant damage.
The back wall features a seated Buddha in full lotus position on a Sumeru throne with two attendant Bodhisattvas on the flanking walls. The Buddha has a high usnisa. Fine and long eyebrows extend over the downcast eyes. A slight smile gives a delicate and kind appearance. A robe, with compact and delicate folds, drapes over the Buddha’s shoulders. The Buddha’s hands form the dhyana (meditation) mudra. The bottom section on the front of the throne shows a vague inscription containing the name of the donor from the Southern Yan Kingdom (398–410). There are a number of small niches on the wall, each containing a seated Buddha. Three are three on the right wall and four on the left wall.
Mural fragments are visible in the middle of the ceiling and on both side walls. A round lotus flower surrounded by figures making offerings is portrayed on the ceiling. The Thousand Buddhas seated in full lotus position are depicted on each side wall. The area surrounding the figures is filled with white and blue lotus flowers. The section of the right wall closest to the entrance is adorned with a monk garbed in a red monastic robe. Behind the monk, an attendant holds a blue parasol. On the left wall, between the entrance and the attendant Bodhisattva, there is an illustration of three monks, positioned vertically. The upper monk cups his hands, the middle monk wears a red robe, and the lower monk wears a green robe and clasps a lotus flower.