Mogao Cave 244: Ananda
Mogao Cave 244: Ananda
CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Sui to Tang dynasty
This figure stands on the left beside the Sakyamuni Buddha statue on the back (west) wall of the main chamber. The round-faced Ananda has a gentle and delicate appearance. He has square shoulders, wears a patterned robe, and stands barefoot on a lotus pedestal. Ananda was one of the Buddha’s Ten Great Disciples and was known as foremost in memorization of the Buddha’s teachings. Ananda is most commonly represented as a young monk in contrast to Mahakasyapa, who usually appears as elderly, particularly within the Mogao Caves. This statue realistically conveys Ananda’s purity and intelligence; thus, it is considered one of the masterpieces of the Sui dynasty (581–618).
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves M-Mo, page 1052.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves M-Mo},
pages = 1052,
title = {{Mogao Cave 244: Ananda}},
volume = 7,
year = {2016}}