Guge Red Temple: Buddha Triad

CHINA, Tibet, Ngari

These murals, painted during the mid-15th century, are located on the north and south walls of the Red Temple. There are six Buddha triads painted on each wall. The identities of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the images have not been definitively determined. The six Buddhas have coiled topknots, tall usnisas, and long earlobes. Their round faces are painted with curved eyebrows, thin eyes, and slightly pursed mouths. The Buddhas wear monastic robes that cover the left shoulder, and have round nimbuses and aureoles. Seated in full lotus position on lotus thrones, the Buddhas are painted in different colors and form different mudras, including the bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra shown in the picture.
The two Bodhisattva attendants of each Buddha have nimbuses and wear floral headdresses, ornaments, and stoles wrapped around their arms. Colorful dhotis are wrapped around their lower bodies. The Bodhisattvas are colored in white, yellow, green, red, or blue. The triads are surrounded by niches with a red background and intricate lintels. The columns on both sides of the niches are decorated with pairs of auspicious creatures in lively postures.