Mogao Cave 220: Illustration of the Amitabha Sutra

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty

Located on the south wall of the main chamber, this mural was painted before 662 during the Early Tang period (618–712), making it the oldest illustration of the Amitabha Sutra preserved in the Mogao Caves.
In the upper section of the mural are ten groups of Buddhas and attendant Bodhisattvas riding on clouds through an azure sky. These represent the Buddhas of the Ten Directions coming forward to praise the sublime Western Pure Land. In the center of the mural, Amitabha Buddha sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne above the pond of seven treasures. Amitabha is flanked by the standing Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas. The three are further surrounded by 33 Bodhisattvas, either standing or seated on lotus thrones. One of the Bodhisattvas stands in the pond, while lotus-born children frolic in the water. Some of the lotuses in the pond are transparent, revealing infants awaiting rebirth within the closed buds. On the jeweled ground below the lotus pond are peacocks, parrots, kalavinkas, and various other birds, and at the bottom of the mural are heavenly musicians and dancers. The dancers are flanked by two groups of musicians who play drums, lutes, harps, flutes, and other instruments. On either side of the musicians and dancers, a Buddha and attendant Bodhisattvas sit on a platform. Two seven-jeweled towers each with two stories are painted on the sides of the mural. A Buddha and Bodhisattva stand within each story of the towers, representing the Buddhas of the Four Directions.