Maijishan Grotto 148

CHINA, Gansu, Tianshui

Located on the east side of the west cliff, this grotto dates to the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534). The front section and side walls of the grotto have deteriorated, and only the back wall is relatively well preserved. Each wall has an altar. The altar at the back wall houses a 1.4 m high Buddha, with an elaborate mandorla, sitting on a Sumeru throne in full lotus position. The mandorla, painted on the back wall, is flanked by three tiers of niches on each side. The upper right niche contains a seated Bodhisattva in contemplation and the upper left niche houses a seated cross-ankled Bodhisattva. Each of the top two niches also has two additional attendant Bodhisattvas. The four remaining niches each portray Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Buddhas teaching the Dharma. Each of the side walls contains a row of small niches at the top, and one large niche flanked by small niches at the bottom. This grotto’s design and style is similar to Grotto 80.