Ajina Tepe: Thousand Buddhas

TAJIKISTAN, Khatlon

This fragment painted with five rows of seated Buddhas was part of a mural on the wall of the west corridor of the temple at Ajina Tepe. All of the Buddha images are obscured by damage, especially the upper and lower rows. The 43 cm high rows are divided by yellow lines. Long-stemmed white lotuses are depicted between the seated Buddhas. The Buddhas sit in full lotus position on lotus thrones. Their monastic robes are painted with bright tones and varied colors. The petal-shaped mandorlas are colored in yellow, white, or dark blue. The lotus thrones are painted pure white or have a brown base embellished with small, white-petaled flowers. The background is dark blue. Based on this fragment, the original mural would have been bright and colorful.