Fahai Temple Great Hero Hall Murals

CHINA, Beijing; Ming dynasty

These well-preserved murals, located in the south-facing Great Hero Hall of Fahai Temple, are painted on both sides of the screen wall, which is behind the three Buddha statues, as well as on the north, east, and west walls. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is shown in the mural on the back of the screen wall, flanked by Manjusri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas on the right and left. The three Bodhisattvas are accompanied by Sudhana, devotees, a lion, a lion keeper, an elephant, and a mahout.
The east and west walls are divided into two distinct registers. The upper register depicts an assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas arriving on clouds from the ten directions. In the lower register, there is a heavenly courtyard filled with lotuses, peonies, banana palms, and Chinese roses. The north wall shows Brahma and Sakra accompanied by their retinues.
The murals are painted with fine, flowing lines, and are mainly colored in azure, yellow, green, and vermilion. Gold is also used to dazzling effect. The backgrounds are filled with colorful clouds and landscapes. Painted by 15 imperial court artists, these meticulously detailed murals are regarded as outstanding examples of the Ming dynasty art.