Mogao Cave 454: Spread of Buddhism - Emergence of a Pagoda in Udyana

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Song dynasty

This illustration is found on the upper right section of the Spread of Buddhism mural, which is located on the ceiling of the corridor. Udyana is a hilly land in the south of the Hindu Kush Mountains. A cartouche next to the illustration identifies the story. According to the Records of the Auspicious Signs of the Buddhas, a 40 m stone pagoda emerged spontaneously from the ground in Udyana while the Buddha was teaching the Dharma to heavenly beings, and remains there to this day.
Within the illustration, the base and body of the pagoda are painted in the same faded color. It has seven stories, each with eaves, which diminish in size further up the pagoda. The upper stories are narrow and a finial is situated at the top. The illustration is simple and the structure is well-proportioned.