Mogao Cave 254: Buddha in a White Robe

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Northern Wei dynasty

This image is located in the center of the back (west) wall. The seated Buddha is framed by an arch and surrounded by images of the Thousand Buddhas. The Buddha is seated with legs crossed and has an oval nimbus, a mandorla, blue hair, and a usnisa. The round face is shaded around the eyes and the corners of the mouth. The Buddha wears a white robe that is covered in unique, wave-like folds that roughly follow the contours of the body. The use of shading gives the folds depth. The right hand is raised palm-out before the chest, and the left hand is held palm-up in front of the abdomen. The attendant Bodhisattvas, standing barefoot on round pedestals, are substantially smaller than the Buddha. They have dark skin, and wear headdresses, long lower garments, and fluttering stoles. Their heads are surrounded by red nimbuses, and they look up toward the Buddha, with their right hands raised to their chests.