Mogao Cave 17: Amitabha Buddha and the Eight Great Bodhisattvas

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty

This painting is part of the vast collection of Buddhist art and manuscripts discovered in Mogao Cave 17. The appearance of the Bodhisattvas in Tibetan painting style suggests that it dates from the 9th century. The crowned Amitabha Buddha sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne in the center of the picture, forming the dhyana (meditation) mudra with both hands. A canopy hangs above the Buddha’s head. Avalokitesvara, Sarvanivarana Viskambhin, Samantabhadra, and Vajrapani Bodhisattvas stand on the right beside Amitabha. Maitreya, Ksitigarbha, Manjusri, and Akasagarbha Bodhisattvas are on the left.
In the lower register, there are geese standing on golden sand. Below these images, there is a decorative band typically seen in Dunhuang paintings. In the bottom right corner of the decorative band, there is a tiny image of a female donor.