Bingling Temple Cave 184: Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Buddhas

CHINA, Gansu, Linxia; Northern Wei dynasty

This mural of Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Buddhas teaching the Dharma is located at the top section of the north wall of Cave 184 and covers an area of 1.3 sq m. Cave 184 is located on the Sister Peak along the west bank of Dasigou (Great Temple Gorge). It is one of the few large man-made caves at Bingling Temple, measuring 7.8 m in width, 5.8 m in height, and 2.8 m in depth. The entrance is 4.5 m in height and about 70 m above ground level. Excavation of the cave began during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534), and it was converted to a Daoist cave called Laojun Cave during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). Half of a central pillar containing a shallow niche is along the back (west) wall. This niche originally housed a Buddha, but was later replaced with a Laojun statue. The most notable murals are found on the upper sections of the north and front walls, which were painted during the Northern Wei dynasty. They depict themes including Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Buddhas teaching the Dharma, as well as the Thousand Buddhas.
The Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Buddhas have high usnisas and wear monastic robes highlighted in blue. The figures are seated upon a rectangular platform in full lotus position, each with one foot exposed. Behind each figure is a nimbus and a mandorla. The Buddhas are flanked by standing Bodhisattvas. The Bodhisattva on the left has a long, narrow face, pointed nose, and small mouth. The figure wears a green monastic robe and a stole draped over the shoulders that is crossed through a ring at the abdomen.
A rectangular canopy decorated with triangular patterns is found above the central Buddhas, and on each side of the canopy is a smaller seated Buddha. Seven Buddhas are seated at the very top, forming the dhyana (meditation) mudra with their hands.