Mogao Cave 420

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang

Located in the south area of the Mogao Caves, this shrine cave was constructed during the Sui dynasty (581–618) and was renovated during the Song dynasty (960–1279) and Western Xia period (1032–1227). It consists of an antechamber and a main chamber connected by a corridor. The murals in the antechamber and corridor were repainted during the Western Xia. The main chamber has a truncated pyramidal ceiling and there are niches cut into the back (west) and side walls. The niche statues are considered some of the best from the Sui dynasty within the Mogao Caves.
The back wall niche is square with a double recess, a style which emerged during the Sui dynasty. The inner part houses a Buddha, two Bodhisattvas, and two disciples, and the outer part holds two more Bodhisattvas. The Buddha wears robes decorated with a pig head pattern, a bead pattern, and hunting motifs. Outside the niche on the back wall are depictions of the Ten Great Disciples, the Eight Great Bodhisattvas, and an illustration of the Vimalakirti Sutra. Below the niche are paintings of Bodhisattvas making offerings and instruments for offerings.
Thousand Buddha motifs from the Song dynasty fill the north and south walls, and the square niches cut into the center of both walls each contain a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas. Above the entrance of the front (east) wall is a mural of the Buddha teaching the Dharma. Thousand Buddha motifs cover the wall on both sides of the entrance, and along the bottom of the wall are figures making offerings, all from the Song dynasty. The slopes of the ceiling feature illustrations of the Lotus Sutra from the Sui dynasty, including scenes of the Buddha Teaching at Vulture Peak from the “Introductory Chapter,” Animals Listening to the Dharma in the “Chapter on Skillful Means,” and Merchants Encountering Robbers in the “Universal Gateway Chapter.” Below the sutra illustrations is a painted frieze of the heavenly palace and 80 apsaras.