Mogao Cave 61: Illustration of the Lankavatara Sutra

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Five Dynasties

Located on the south wall, this mural is painted according to descriptions in the Lankavatara Sutra. It consists of ten scenes arranged in seven rows. In the center, the Buddha, attendant Bodhisattvas, and disciples are pictured on an island in the middle of an ocean. This represents the Buddha’s arrival in the city of Lanka on Mount Malaya, in response to King Ravana’s invitation to teach the Dharma there. On either side are images of the Buddha using magical powers to conjure up the six immeasurable mountains. Two dragons’ heads are visible in the ocean. To the right of this, the Buddha is shown teaching the Dharma at the palace of the naga king. On the left side, the Buddha sits upon a cloud. A multitude of people crowd below him as he flies up the mountain.
Surrounding the central narrative are 21 smaller images depicting Sakyamuni Buddha teaching the Dharma. The majority of these include either Mahaprajna Bodhisattva in dialogue with the Buddha, or King Ravana making offerings. A number of small allegorical narratives are illustrated in the lower register, including images of a sick person receiving medicine, an artisan making pottery, a shining mirror, acrobats performing, and a butcher at work. In the pottery-making scene is a shirtless figure seated on the ground. He holds a tool in his right hand and his left hand supports the pot he is shaping. Before him is a large pile of clay. Below this scene is an image of Mahaprajna teaching the Dharma in the mountains. A group of animals are seated around the Bodhisattva, listening to the teaching. The inscriptions within cartouches spread throughout the mural are excerpts from the Lankavatara Sutra.