Mogao Cave 405: Buddha Teaching the Dharma

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Sui dynasty

This mural is in the center of the north wall. The Buddha is seated with legs pendent on a Sumeru throne with a Bodhisattva and a disciple on each side. Ornaments hang from the canopy above the Buddha, and on either side apsaras scatter flowers. The backrest of the throne contains an elephant head on each upper corner. A small figure hangs by a rope from the raised trunk of each elephant. Below the figures are lions which stand on their hind legs on small pedestals supported below by kneeling men. The men wear loin cloths and have curly hair. Two trees behind the Buddha’s throne rise up above the scene, their luxuriant foliage reaching out in every direction. The left and right sides of the mural were damaged during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911).