Mogao Cave 98: Illustration of the Vimalakirti Sutra - Vimalakirti (front wall, left side)
Mogao Cave 98: Illustration of the Vimalakirti Sutra
CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Five Dynasties
Covering much of the front (east) wall, this is the largest illustration of the Vimalakirti Sutra within the Mogao Caves. To the left of the entrance is an image of Vimalakirti. He is depicted seated on a canopy bed, facing towards the image of Manjusri Bodhisattva painted to the right of the entrance. Above the entrance is an illustration of the “Chapter on Skillful Means,” in which Bodhisattvas, Heavenly Kings, princes of various ethnicities, and local officials listen to the dialogue between Vimalakirti and Manjusri. The diverse group of attendees all have expressive faces. The painting has become a valuable resource for research into the clothing and local customs of the period.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves M-Mo, page 926.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves M-Mo},
pages = 926,
title = {{Mogao Cave 98: Illustration of the Vimalakirti Sutra}},
volume = 7,
year = {2016}}