Mogao Cave 17: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Northern Song dynasty

This 10th century painting portrays Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva seated in relaxed posture upon a rock, resting the left foot on a red lotus pedestal. The Bodhisattva wears a black headscarf and a blue patched monastic robe decorated with clouds. A wish-fulfilling jewel is held in the left hand, while the right hand gently grasps a monk’s staff. Depictions of the beings in the six realms of existence are painted between the beams of light that radiate from the aureole. The heavenly realm, animal realm, and hell realm are on the right; the human realm, the realm of the asuras, and the hungry ghost realm are on the left. The Recorders of Good and Evil, dressed in green and blue robes respectively, stand on either side of the Bodhisattva, each holding a scroll. A lion, a vase, and a peony flower on an altar are placed around the rock.
Figures making offerings are illustrated in the bottom register, flanking the empty central cartouche. Among the figures there are three monks, one holding a long-handled incense burner, another making an offering of flowers, and a third standing with palms joined in reverence. The female figure on the left, kneeling with both hands joined inside her sleeves, is dressed in an elegant robe with an elaborate headdress and is accompanied by a young woman. The male figure on the far right is dressed in official’s robes and a black hat. He kneels on a carpet and joins his palms.