Mogao Cave 268

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang

Located on the third level in the central section of the south area at the site, this vihara cave was constructed during the Northern Liang Kingdom (397–439), and was renovated during the Sui (581–618) and the Song (960–1279) dynasties. It is among the three oldest Mogao Caves. The cave is small and narrow with a flat ceiling. It has two meditation chambers on the north side (Caves 270 and 271) and two more on the south side (Caves 267 and 269). There is a small arched niche in the back (west) wall with a flame-patterned lintel and a column on each side. Inside the niche is a Buddha, thought to be Maitreya, seated with legs crossed at the ankles. The Buddha has curled hair, a usnisa, a round face, large eyes, thin lips, and broad shoulders. A monastic robe is draped across the left shoulder, and an oval-shaped nimbus and mandorla surround the figure.
Two Bodhisattvas are painted on the side walls of the niche, each with a canopy above. On each side of the niche are two Bodhisattvas making offerings and an apsara. Below the niche, there are images of figures making offerings; on the left are a monk and two female donors, and on the right are a monk and two male donors. One of the female donors wears a Chinese-style robe with wide sleeves, and the other wears a Central Asian robe with small sleeves. Below them is a row of donor figures, the images now faded and indistinct. Thousand Buddha motifs and Dharma teaching scenes from the Sui dynasty were painted on both the north and south walls, covering images of yaksas and apsaras from the Northern Dynasties (386–581). On the latticed ceiling are lotuses, flames, lotus-born children, and apsaras. The four meditation chambers along the north and south walls are small, with just enough room for one person. The lintels over the doorways to the chambers are embellished with flame patterns, and inside the chambers are Thousand Buddha images, teaching scenes, and more figures making offerings.