Mogao Cave 17: Life of the Buddha - Defeat of Mara and Enlightenment

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Five Dynasties

This early 10th century painting portrays the Buddha defeating Mara and attaining enlightenment, a rare theme among works from this period. The central figure, Sakyamuni Buddha, wears a gold cap on the head and a gold monastic robe draped over the left shoulder. The Buddha is seated in full lotus position on a diamond throne beneath a Bodhi tree. His right hand forms the bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra. Exquisite colorful patterns adorn the nimbus and the aureole.
Above the Bodhi tree, a three-headed, eight-armed Wisdom King stands on clouds, surrounded by a flaming mandorla. The rest of the space is filled with wildly imaginative, finely detailed depictions of demons in Mara’s army who attempt to attack the Buddha. They brandish weapons and shoot arrows towards him, all to no effect. Mara’s daughters stand at the base of the diamond throne, looking up at the Buddha, trying to seduce him.
Twelve images of the Buddha representing the 12 auspicious marks of enlightenment are painted along the sides of the picture. In the lower register, the seven treasures of a cakravartin (wheel-turning monarch) float on clouds. Vividly conveying the Buddha’s triumph over the distractions, temptations, and terrors of Mara, this colorful and creative painting is one of the finest artworks from this period.