Mogao Cave 17: Illustration of the Sutra on the Descent of Maitreya

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty to Five Dynasties

Discovered in Mogao Cave 17, this painting is based on the Sutra on the Descent of Maitreya. The three images of Maitreya Buddha represent the three teaching assemblies after his enlightenment. The Buddha is accompanied by attendants, disciples, Bodhisattvas, and Heavenly Kings in each depiction. The rest of the picture is filled with scenes from the sutra, each accompanied by a caption in a cartouche. The upper register shows people enjoying peace after the Buddha of the future, Maitreya, attains enlightenment. The reaping of the seven harvests with one sowing is also depicted.
In the center of the lower register, King Sankha offers a platform made of the seven treasures to Maitreya. Upon receiving it, the Buddha gives it to the brahmins, who promptly dismantle it to demonstrate impermanence. Inspired by Maitreya’s action, King Sankha renounces worldly life to become a disciple of the Buddha. The tonsure ceremony of King Sankha is painted in the bottom right corner. The bottom left corner shows the tonsure ceremony of female aspirants, including King Sankha’s daughter, Samivati.