Bingling Temple Cave 169: Illustrations of the Vimalakirti Sutra

CHINA, Gansu, Linxia; Western Qin Kingdom

This illustration, part of Mural 11, is located on the lower tier of the north wall and depicts the Vimalakirti Sutra. Vimalakirti, on the right side of the mural, is painted within a faint rectangular shape bordered by curtains and tassels. He sits in a reclined position, covered with a quilt. There is a canopy over his head and a round nimbus behind it. He is accompanied by a standing attendant, though most of the attendant’s features are damaged. Based on what remains, it can be discerned that the attendant wears a white garment, his hair is tied in a topknot, and has a round nimbus behind his head. Inscriptions beside the image identify them as Vimalakirti and an attendant. A seated Buddha is to the left of this scene, roughly in the center of the overall mural. Beside the seated Buddha is a triad. The scene of Manjusri visiting Vimalakirti is missing in this illustration. It is possible that the triad’s central figure, who is depicted as a Buddha, may be Manjusri.
Another illustration of the Vimalakirti Sutra, known as Mural 10 is on the same wall. The illustration is slightly smaller and has been arranged in the style of the Buddha teaching the Dharma. It depicts a Buddha sitting in the full lotus position, surrounded by a flaming nimbus and round aureole. There is an inscription that originally read “Sakyamuni Buddha,” but has mostly flaked off. Beside the Buddha is Vimalakirti depicted as a Bodhisattva with a decorative headdress. A cartouche reading “Image of Vimalakirti” is located beside this figure. Despite the simplicity and damaged form of the image, it has been a valuable source of information for scholars to study the earlier stages of the illustration and its formation.