Shuiliandong Cave

CHINA, Gansu, Tianshui

Located 25 km north of Wushan county in Tianshui, this cave was originally a natural formation and has only been modified slightly. The cave is 50 m wide, 30 m high, and 20 m deep. The water that often pours down from the ceiling has earned this cave the title Shuiliandong, or Water Curtain Cave. The main feature of the cave is its murals. The murals that remain can be found on the right side of the west wall, and cover an area 8 m high and 17 m wide. The murals were originally created during the Northern Zhou dynasty (557–581) Later generations have either added new murals or painted over the originals, but retained the original style. The caves were listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2001.
The murals depict various images of Buddhas, disciples, apsaras, and Bodhisattvas. The central illustration of the Buddha teaching the Dharma takes up half of the total space. This Buddha stands with a pair of Bodhisattvas and a pair of disciples. His hands are raised to the chest and form the Dharmacakra (Dharma wheel) mudra. The two attending Bodhisattvas wear headdresses and stoles draped over their bodies.
Murals of single Buddhas or Buddha triads with a pair of Bodhisattvas are found below the main illustration. A row of seven seated Buddhas is depicted at the very bottom.