Yulin Cave 32: Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and Attendants

CHINA, Gansu, Guazhou; Five Dynasties

This mural is located on the left side of the front (east) wall within the main chamber. It combines the traditional elements of this type of illustration with depictions of famous Buddhist sites and popular contemporary legends.
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is depicted teaching the Dharma in the center of the mural. The Bodhisattva rides upon a six-tusked white elephant and holds a lotus cup in one hand. A mahout leads the animal, and on both sides Bodhisattvas and attendants carry banners, offer flowers, and play music. The whole procession travels across the sky amidst the clouds.
Numerous mountains and streams are portrayed in the background. A depiction at the upper right corner is of a legend from the history of Khotan, in which Vaisravana, Heavenly King of the North, and the disciple Sariputra break down an embankment to drain the land so that the kingdom can be built. The bottom right corner shows Gosrnga (Ox Head Mountain) of Khotan and the Dafo (Great Buddha) Temple. Devotees climb the mountain to pay their respects at the Buddhist sacred sites. The left side depicts King Asoka building 84,000 stupas, as well as worshippers at the stupas.