Yulin Cave 3: Ceiling

CHINA, Gansu, Guazhou; Western Xia period

The central image on this ceiling depicts a Diamond Realm Mandala. The mandala consists of a large square around a circle, which itself contains a square with another smaller circle inside. Vairocana Buddha, at the center of the inner circle, is surrounded by four other Buddhas: Aksobhya Buddha in the east, Amitabha Buddha in the west, Amoghasiddhi Buddha in the north, and Ratnasambhava Buddha in the south. At the four corners between the Buddhas are four vases, which represent a reminder for people to uphold their Dharma vows. A Bodhisattva is depicted at each corner of the inner square that surrounds the inner circle. On each side of the square there is a gateway that contains a Vajrayana-style Wisdom King. The Wisdom King in front of the west gateway is Yamantaka, an incarnation of Manjusri. In each of the corners of the outer square is a vajra, which symbolizes the Buddha’s wisdom. The exterior square framed in numerous layers of border patterns includes joined loops, peonies, seated Buddhas, lotus petals, and drapery.