Mogao Cave 248: Ascetic Sakyamuni

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Northern Wei dynasty

This statue is located within the arched niche on the west side of the central pillar. It portrays the Buddha during the six year period before his enlightenment, when he practiced extreme asceticism. By the end of this period, his body had deteriorated so much that he realized that this method was only impeding his practice. He abandoned it, and shortly thereafter attained enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree.
The Buddha has curly hair, a usnisa, and an urna. The face is characterized by prominent cheekbones, sunken cheeks, high-ridged eyebrows, and deep-set eyes. The Buddha appears emaciated and near death. A thin outer robe with long loose sleeves and an inner robe that crosses the left shoulder cover the body. The collarbone sticks out and the abdomen is sunken. The hands form the dhyana (meditation) mudra in front of the abdomen. The figure is seated in full lotus position on a low platform. The feet are hidden within the robes. Behind the statue are an oval nimbus and a mandorla.