Jinta Temple West Cave: Guhyapadavajra

CHINA, Gansu, Zhangye; Northern Wei dynasty

The Guhyapadavajra is located in the lower level niche on the west side of the central pillar. The figure is positioned to the right of the central Buddha, with a Bodhisattva standing on the opposite side.
Guhyapadavajra stands barefoot wearing armor and has a sash tied around his neck. Both the eyebrows and the eyes of the figure are elongated and appear thin. A dhoti covering his lower half is folded outward at the waist to form a double-layer and is tied with a sash. The attire is similar to that seen on the Heavenly Kings. A long, stole worn on the upper body flows freely outward, and there are ribbons tied around and behind the head. The circular nimbus backing Guhyapadavajra’s head is unadorned with the exception of an inscription penned in ink. It can be observed from the damaged arms and left foot of the sculpture that the figure was made from clay reinforced with wheat stalk and tree branches.