Mogao Cave 231: Auspicious Buddha in Jiuquan County

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty

This auspicious Buddha image is painted on the north ceiling slope of the back (west) wall niche in the main chamber. The Buddha has a round face, narrowed eyes, and long ears, and stands barefoot on a lotus pedestal. His nimbus radiates waves of green, brown, and purple. The Buddha is clad in a short dhoti tied at the waist. His left hand holds an alms bowl in front of the chest, and his right hand forms the vitarka (teaching) mudra. The inscription beside the image reads, “Auspicious Sakyamuni Buddha in Jiuquan County.” The Dunhuang manuscript Records of the Auspicious Signs of the Buddhas contains the following description: “The Buddha from Huchan River in Jiuquan county is marvelous beyond imagination! Once, a person came seeking wish fulfillment, and he obtained a tremendous fortune. The Buddha is seated and resembles a Bodhisattva.” In this case, the painting is not consistent with the description.