Mogao Cave 57

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang

Located in the south area, this shrine cave was constructed during the Early Tang period (618–712) and consists of an antechamber and a main chamber connected by a corridor. The murals in the antechamber and corridor were repainted during the Late Tang period (846–907). Above the entrance on the back (west) wall of the antechamber, there is an image of Maitreya attended by two Heavenly Kings, and two more Heavenly Kings flank the entrance. Along the center of the corridor ceiling is the illustration of the Medicine Buddha Sutra, while on its north and south slopes are images of seated Buddhas. Portraits of donors remain on the walls of the corridor.
The main chamber has a truncated pyramidal ceiling and a niche in the back wall. In the center of the ceiling are twin dragons and a lotus flower surrounded by decorative patterns and apsaras. The Thousand Buddhas are painted on the four slopes of the ceiling. The double-recessed niche on the back wall contains statues of a Buddha accompanied by two disciples and three Bodhisattvas; a fourth Bodhisattva is now missing. A column and a Bodhisattva in contemplation are painted to each side of the inner niche. Above the inner niche there are flame patterns, lotuses, and apsaras. Two standing Bodhisattvas are painted on each side of the back wall outside the niche. Above these figures, there are two scenes from the Life of the Buddha: the Conception and the Great Departure. Six small apsaras are painted in the space above the niche.
The Thousand Buddhas are painted on the north and south walls around central scenes of the Buddha teaching the Dharma. In the lower registers, there are partially damaged images of donors. Above the doorway on the front (east) wall are damaged images of the Seven Buddhas and the Thousand Buddhas. Depictions of the Buddha teaching the Dharma are found on either side of the entrance.