Mogao Cave 17: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Northern Song dynasty

In this 10th century painting, Avalokitesvara wears a unique crown composed of colorful circles topped with thin spires. The Bodhisattva stands on a lotus pedestal holding a vase and a lotus in the hands. Scenes from the “Universal Gateway Chapter” of the Lotus Sutra are painted within a mountainous landscape around the Bodhisattva. Figures are shown being chased by villains, pushed into a fire, thrown from a mountain, and encountering poisonous snakes. According to the chapter, if a devotee recites the name of Avalokitesvara, they will be protected from these calamities. The donors of this painting are depicted beside the lotus throne. The nun Xinqing on the left offers a vase on a golden plate. Yin Yuanchang, in black robe, holds an incense burner. Yin’s name appears on other documents found in Dunhuang. He belonged to a large family from this region.