Dratang Monastery Central Hall Inner Shrine: Figures Paying Respect to the Buddha

CHINA, Tibet, Lhoka

These four figures paying respect to the Buddha are located on the lower left section of the west wall mural in the inner shrine of Dratang Monastery. The four figures are significantly smaller than the Buddha, Bodhisattva, and disciple images surrounding them. Two of the figures stand in profile, which is rarely seen in Tibetan Buddhist paintings. They have thin eyes, fine eyebrows, plump cheeks, and wear Chinese clothing that is similar to that worn by figures depicted in Dunhuang cave murals from the Mid-Tang period (756–846).