Mogao Cave 17: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and the Ten Kings of Hell

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Northern Song dynasty

In this 10th century painting, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva sits on a lotus throne, wearing a monastic robe and a headscarf, both decorated with the same pattern. The Bodhisattva holds a staff in the right hand and a wish-fulfilling jewel in the left. Six clouds rise from the blue aureole, each with an image upon them symbolizing one of the six realms of existence. Beginning from the upper right and moving clockwise, there are depictions of a heavenly palace, a human, an asura, flames in hell, a horse, and a hungry ghost. The altar below Ksitigarbha is flanked by the Recorders of Good and Evil. The Ten Kings of Hell kneel below the altar, holding scepters. Four more judges in official’s robes and hats stand on either side of Ksitigarbha’s lotus throne. The monk Daoming stands between the two judges on the right.