Yulin Cave 15: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva

CHINA, Gansu, Guazhou; Tang dynasty

This image is located on the right side of the back (east) wall within the antechamber. According to the Ksitigarbha Sutra, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was assigned to save sentient beings on behalf of Sakyamuni Buddha between Sakyamuni’s parinirvana and the rise of Maitreya Buddha. Ksitigarbha vowed to save all sentient beings from suffering by liberating them from rebirth in all six realms of existence.
In this depiction, Ksitigarbha appears in the form of a monk who stands under a canopy. Around the head is a double-layer nimbus and beneath the bare feet, there is a lotus pedestal. A monastic robe that covers both shoulders is decorated with a pattern of red stripes and smoky green shapes. The Bodhisattva holds a jewel in one hand, while the other hand is raised to the chest. Six smoke-like emanations surround Ksitigarbha and each supports a small figure. The figures represent the sentient beings of the six realms: hell beings, hungry ghosts, animals, humans, asuras, and heavenly beings.