Dafo Temple Great Buddha Hall: Western Pure Land
Brick
Dafo Temple Great Buddha Hall: Western Pure Land
CHINA, Gansu, Zhangye; Western Xia period
The reliefs are found on the north and south walls of the Great Buddha Hall. Each mural occupies approximately 4.6 sq m and is composed of 50 carved bricks.
The picture shows the mural on the north wall that illustrates Sakyamuni Buddha teaching the Dharma at Jetavana Monastery. The Buddha is shown seated in the center flanked by two attendant Bodhisattvas. The figures around them are listening to the Dharma. The mural is bordered by the seven treasures.
The mural on the south wall shows the Amitabha Buddha Triad, and depicts the Western Pure Land with Amitabha Buddha sitting enthroned and attended by Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta. The two smaller figures on either side of the incense burner are paying their respects. The background is filled with Bodhisattvas and laypeople. The frame, like the other mural, is filled with auspicious symbols.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F, page 273.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Lovelock, Yann and Chou, Yuan and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F},
pages = 273,
title = {{Dafo Temple Great Buddha Hall: Western Pure Land}},
volume = 10,
year = {2016}}