Guanyin Temple Vairocana Hall: Seated Bodhisattvas

CHINA, Sichuan, Chengdu; Ming dynasty

These two Bodhisattvas are painted in the third mural from the right on the west wall of Vairocana Hall. After the Tang dynasty (618–907) and the Five Dynasties (907–960), the Chan school flourished; images of the Twelve Perfect Enlightenment Bodhisattvas were commonly painted in monasteries and grottoes. Existing examples include these murals from Guanyin Temple and the sculptures at Dazu Rock Carvings Baodingshan Great Buddha Bay Cave 29, carved during the Song dynasty (960–1279).
The Bodhisattvas sit adjacent to each other, separated by clouds. Both Bodhisattvas sit on thrones, wear crowns and ornaments, and have calm expressions. Foremost in Virtue and Goodness Bodhisattva pinches a trail of rising cloud in the right hand while Universal Enlightenment Bodhisattva holds prayer beads. On the sides of both Bodhisattvas, heavenly beings make offerings of flowers and fruits.
Based on the inscription on the mural, the heavenly beings fronting the thrones are thought to be Surya, Yama, Star Deity, and Thunder Deity. The being on the left beside Universal Enlightenment Bodhisattva has a protruding forehead, raised thick eyebrows, large rounded eyes, and shoulders covered with a fluttering sash. Each of the other three deities holds a scepter in both hands, wears a headdress, and is dressed in long, wide-sleeved robes.