Mogao Cave 244: Buddhas of the Past, Present, and Future

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Sui to Tang dynasty

Three sets of figures are located along the back (west) and side walls within the main chamber. The central figures are the Buddhas of the Past, Present, and Future. On the back wall, Sakyamuni, the Buddha of the present, is flanked by two disciples and two Bodhisattvas. Sakyamuni wears a long, dark robe, and sits in full lotus position on a Sumeru throne. He has a large usnisa, tightly curled hair, and elongated earlobes. The hands of the statue have broken off. The thin, wrinkled Mahakasyapa stands on the right beside the Buddha, and the youthful, round-faced Ananda is on the left. Beside the disciples, there are two graceful Bodhisattvas wearing crowns, necklaces, and other ornaments. The Buddha on the south wall is Kasyapa, the Buddha of the past. Kasyapa Buddha has a usnisa, stands barefoot on a pedestal, and wears a monastic robe with a patchwork field pattern. He is flanked by attendant Bodhisattvas. The future Buddha, Maitreya, stands along the north wall, and is dressed like a Bodhisattva, with a topknot, necklaces and other ornaments, and celestial garments. Maitreya is flanked by attendant Bodhisattvas whose clothing is similar to that of the Bodhisattvas on the other walls. The stiff postures of the Bodhisattvas in this cave are markedly different from the sinuous poses they are customarily shown in. All the statues within the cave have broad shoulders and strong builds.