Yulin Cave 39: Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara

CHINA, Gansu, Guazhou

Images of the Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara are painted on both the north and south walls of the corridor leading to the main chamber. This particular image is located on the south wall. The dating of this central pillar cave is somewhat uncertain, with scholars speculating that it was created during either the Northern Dynasties (386–581) or the Tang dynasty (618–907), and completely repainted during the period of Uighur (1030–1036) ruling over Shazhou. These images of Avalokitesvara have a simplistic, structured, and sparse style, and are some of the few remaining works created during the Uighur ruling period.
In this mural, Avalokitesvara stands upon a lotus, wearing a headdress decorated with a Buddha. There is an eye located on the palm of each of the hands surrounding the Bodhisattva. In addition, each hand holds an object or Dharma instruments, including a sun, moon, wish-fulfilling jewel, conch shell, monk’s staff, and sword. Vasu, at the bottom left, is in the form of an old brahmin, while the bottom right depicts Mahadevi, who is dressed as a lady. Bodhisattvas are on both sides of the mural, while in the upper corners are apsaras making offerings of scattered flowers.