Frontispiece of the Vimalakirti Sutra

CHINA; Dali Kingdom

This frontispiece is from an incomplete copy of the Vimalakirti Sutra. The depiction is based on the “Chapter on Observing Living Beings,” and depicts an ailing Vimalakirti being visited by Manjusri and other Bodhisattvas, heavenly beings and great disciples. Through his answers to their questions, Vimalakirti expressed the essence of the Mahayana teachings on emptiness and the nullity of form. From what remains of the postscript of the sutra, it can be determined that it was commissioned by Prime Minister Gao Taiming of Dali in 1118 for the benefit of the ambassadors from the Chinese Song court, to pray for their safe journey home. The creation of the sutra was supervised by the monk Yin Yunfu of Foding Temple.
In the center of the artwork, Vimalakirti is depicted sitting on a platform, with one hand holding a fan and the other placed on an arm rest. His lips are slightly opened, as if speaking. The small figure prostrated before him is likely Sariputra. To the right is Manjusri, sitting on a lion, while on the left, a heavenly being holds a plate of flowers. Four Bodhisattvas stand behind Manjusri, and several groups of figures are shown sitting or standing outside the room. In the top corners, there are two groups of Buddhas sitting on clouds. The figure wearing the tall feathered headdress sitting outside Vimalakirti’s room on the left may be the King of Dali, Duan Zhengyan (reigned 1108–1147), or Prime Minister Gao.
The arrangement of the figures and the design of the walls of the building give the artwork an interesting three-dimensional appearance. It is painted in gold and silver on purple silk. This frontispiece is rare, unlike other similar works which usually illustrate the “Chapter on Manjusri’s Visit.”