Western Thousand Buddha Cave 19

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang

This cave is located in the western area and was constructed during the Five Dynasties (907–960). The cave has a barrel-vaulted ceiling and a sloping floor, with two steps near the entrance. The front part of the cave has collapsed, but an arched niche on the back (north) wall and part of the back of the cave remains intact.
Of the original statues and carvings in the niche, only the central Buddha and part of the Bodhisattva standing on the left side remain. The Buddha, depicted seated with legs pendent, wears a monastic robe. The rounded face has a prominent usnisa and partially closed eyes. The walls within the niche are painted with vividly colored illustrations of the Buddha’s Ten Great Disciples, six Bodhisattvas, Eight Classes of Dharma Protectors, and the Four Heavenly Kings.
The east and west walls outside the niche are carved with low platforms. These originally supported the Sixteen Arhats, but only five figures on the east wall, eight on the west wall, and various remnants still exist. On the east, west, and north walls of the cave there are 164 Arhats, most of which wear monastic robes and hats. Each row of Arhats is painted with alternating colors. The images appear similar, but the detailing varies for each figure. This combination of sculptures and paintings is unique in the northwestern region. In addition, this is the only Dunhuang cave that exhibits the Sixteen Arhats molded from clay. Paintings and sculptures of the Sixteen Arhats first appeared in China after the translation of the Records of Nandimitra’s Discourse on Abiding Dharma by Master Xuanzang. Depictions of the Sixteen Arhats became popular after the Five Dynasties.