Mogao Cave 159: Illustration of the Vimalakirti Sutra

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty

This illustration of the Vimalakirti Sutra is located to the right of the entrance on the front (east) wall of the main chamber. Vimalakirti is in the center, holding a whisk and sitting upon a canopy bed. His brows are knitted and his face is tilted back with the lips slightly parted. Above Vimalakirti, four thrones are depicted arriving upon clouds. This represents the “Chapter on the Inconceivable,” in which Vimalakirti makes 32,000 thrones appear for his guests to sit on.
In the upper register of the mural, the Buddha sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne, teaching the Dharma. To the left, Vimalakirti holds the universe in his palm, represented by a smaller image of the surrounding scene. On the right is an image of Prince Candrachattra offering the seven jewels to the Buddha. In the bottom left corner of the mural are Bodhisattvas descending from the clouds, one of whom kneels before Vimalakirti holding an alms bowl with both hands. This figure is the manifested Bodhisattva, who brought fragrant rice from the Fragrant Land to provide Vimalakirti’s audience with food.
At the bottom right is a scene from the “Chapter on Skillful Means” in which a Tibetan king arrives accompanied by princes of various regions, all of whom traveled there to hear the discourse between Vimalakirti and Manjusri. Sariputra and a heavenly being stand to the left of the canopy bed, representing the “Chapter on the Observing Living Beings.”