Mogao Cave 302

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang

This central pillar cave is situated on the second level in the northern section of the south area. According to an inscription, it was constructed in 584 of the Sui dynasty. It was later renovated during the Song (960–1279) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. The cave consists of an antechamber and a main chamber connected by a corridor. The antechamber and corridor were repainted during the Song dynasty.
The front of the main chamber has a gabled ceiling with narrative illustrations of six Jataka tales and the Sutra on the Field of Merits, and the flat ceiling at the rear has a painted lattice motif. A large central pillar that is shaped like Mount Sumeru is connected to the flat ceiling via an inverted seven-tier pagoda, while the base of the pillar is square. The Thousand Buddha reliefs which at one time adhered to the pagoda have since fallen off. The lowest tier of the pagoda is a lotus encircled by four dragons. The square body of the pillar houses four niches, one on each side. The south and east niches each contain a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas, while the north and west niches each house a Buddha and two disciples. Beneath the niches are two layers of murals, with painting from the Song dynasty covering an inscription and donor figures from the Sui dynasty (581–618).
All four walls of the main chamber display apsaras, heavenly palace, and valances at the top, Thousand Buddhas in the middle, and figures making offerings at the bottom. A niche at the center of the back (west) wall houses a Buddha, two disciples, and two Bodhisattvas. A niche in the center of the north wall contains a Buddha with two disciples and two Bodhisattvas. On the right side of the north wall is a mural of Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Buddhas, and on the left is a Dharma teaching scene. A niche in the south wall houses a Buddha and a single remaining Bodhisattva and disciple. On the left side of the south wall is a Medicine Buddha image, and on the right is a Dharma teaching scene. Above the entrance on the front (east) wall is an illustration of the Buddha teaching the Dharma. The donor figures at the base of the four walls are all female, some monastics and some lay devotees, and were painted during the Song dynasty. Traces of paintings from the Sui dynasty are visible beneath the images. All of the sculptures within the cave have suffered damage.