Dabaoji Palace: Mahamayuri Assembly

CHINA, Yunnan, Lijiang; Ming dynasty

One of the largest and best preserved murals in Lijiang, this scene is painted in the center of the south wall of Dabaoji Palace. On the Sumeru base of the throne of Mahamayuri, the central figure, there is an inscription in Tibetan stating “Homage to the Assembly of Mahamayuri Mother Buddha.” The Three-Headed, Eight-Armed Mahamayuri wears a bright golden crown and ornaments. The peacock she is typically shown riding is not depicted in this image. The hands hold a Dharma wheel, a sword, a cup, a vase, a staff, and other items. Though some of the details have worn away, the figure is still majestic.
A total of 166 figures are arranged around Mahamayuri. To the left and right of the canopy above the throne, the Twenty-Eight Mansions and Twelve Constellations of Chinese astronomy, personified as civil officials wearing white hats and robes, are shown in groups standing on clouds, or alone within circles. A banner painted with a mandala hangs in front of an altar below the throne of the central figure. Two Bodhisattvas wearing silver jewelry stand behind the altar. Below the Bodhisattvas, the Four Heavenly Kings are depicted. They wear armors and hold weapons or musical instruments. Large groups of Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and heavenly beings are painted on the left and right sides of the mural. Daoist deities, including the Thunder Deities, are shown among the figures. Gold-coating, gold-molding, and gold-tracing techniques are used to give the figures a three-dimensional appearance.