Mati Temple Thousand Buddha Grotto 8: Maitreya Bodhisattva

CHINA, Gansu, Zhangye; Northern Wei dynasty

This mural is located within the lower level niche, on the south side of the central pillar. The mural depicts a barefoot and cross-ankled Maitreya Bodhisattva who wears a tall headdress, a red dhoti, and a black stole that crosses from the left shoulder to the right side of his waist. The delicately featured Bodhisattva is adorned with a necklace and armlets. The right hand of the Bodhisattva forms the vitarka (teaching) mudra, while the body is seated gracefully and slightly inclined to one side. Behind Maitreya is a nimbus and a mandorla. The artist uses dark colors to outline the figure, and the background is immersed in simple colors. Both the body and clothing of the Bodhisattva are illustrated with strong textures. On either side of Maitreya are numerous figures making offerings, however, these are now mostly indistinct.