Mogao Cave 17: Illustration of the Medicine Buddha Sutra

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty

This 9th century illustration of the Eastern Pure Land described in the Medicine Buddha Sutra is composed of three joined pieces of silk. The red-robed Medicine Buddha, backed by a colorful nimbus and aureole, is in the center of the picture. Suryaprabha and Candraprabha Bodhisattvas sit beside the Buddha. The three central figures are surrounded by Bodhisattvas, Heavenly Kings, and heavenly beings. Below, musicians play instruments while a heavenly being dances.
The Twelve Yaksa Generals sit on platforms on both sides of the pond in the lower register. There are several small Bodhisattvas seated on lotuses in the pond. Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara, Manjusri with a thousand alms bowls, Cintamanicakra Avalokitesvara, and Amoghapasa Avalokitesvara occupy the four corners of the central image. The upper register is filled with detailed heavenly palaces, towers, and terraces.
Two thin panels on the sides, separated from the main image by decorative bands, contain scenes of the nine untimely deaths and the Twelve Great Vows of the Medicine Buddha. The scenes are accompanied by cartouches.