Shalu Monastery Central Hall Segoma Shrine Murals

CHINA, Tibet, Shigatse

These murals are located within the Segoma Shrine, the south adjoining shrine on the first story of the central hall. This 10.27 m long and 7 m wide shrine was built and decorated with murals in 1320 when the monastery was expanded by Buton Rinchen Drub.
The Five Dhyani Buddhas are painted on the back wall, distinguished from one another by their skin colors and the mudras they form. Above the entrance on the north wall, there is a mandala with the blue Aksobhya Buddha in the center, surrounded by four Buddhas and their consorts seated within eight lotus petals. The Aksobhya Buddha Dharani is written below the mandala. Sarvanivarana Viskambhin Bodhisattva and a blue Wisdom King are painted on the right beside the entrance, while on the left, there are images of the Buddha teaching the Dharma and a white Wisdom King. All of the figures are meticulously depicted and brilliantly colored. The different painting styles used in the murals suggest that they were made by at least three artists.