Mogao Cave 285: Conversion of Five Hundred Bandits

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Western Wei dynasty

Also called the Story of Aptanetravana (Forest of Sight Regained), this mural is painted on the upper part of the south wall within the main chamber. It is based on the “Chapter on Pure Practices” in the Mahaparinirvana Sutra. The mural is recognized as the oldest and most complete depiction of this story within the Mogao Caves.
The five figures in the painting represent the 500 bandits, and the narrative progresses in individual scenes from left to right as follows: 500 bandits plunder the Kosala Kingdom; officers mount a punitive expedition against the bandits; the bandits are arrested and taken into custody; the bandits are sentenced and their eyes are gouged out; they cry out for help in the deep forest; the bandits take refuge in the Buddha after their sight is miraculously restored; the Buddha teaches the Dharma to the bandits; the bandits cultivate the Dharma deep in the forest.
The bandits are vividly depicted fighting fiercely on the battlefield, struggling as they are taken captive, trembling at their sentencing, running desperately in the forest as they are banished from the kingdom, showing piety and sincerity as they take refuge in the Buddha, and finally, cultivating serenely in the forest. The mural expresses the Buddhist concept that all beings are inherently endowed with Buddha nature and are capable of attaining enlightenment. The changing background of wilderness, government offices, and desolate hills in the different scenes integrates well with the narrative and adds authenticity to the story.