Guangsheng Lower Temple Great Hero Hall: Tejaprabha Buddha Assembly

CHINA, Shanxi, Linfen; Yuan dynasty

This mural was stripped off from the wall of the Great Hero Hall and brought to the USA in the 1920s. Tejaprabha, Buddha of Radiant Light, is rarely depicted in artworks. This portrayal is probably related to the earthquake of 1303. According to scriptures, Tejaprabha Buddha protects against celestially caused calamities. Thus this image of the Buddha was likely painted to protect the temple.
The layout of the mural is similar to that of the Medicine Buddha Assembly also originally located in the temple and currently kept in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Tejaprabha Buddha is portrayed seated in full lotus position on a lotus throne, holding a golden wheel in the left hand. To the right of the Buddha is Suryaprabha Bodhisattva with a sun on his headdress, while Candraprabha Bodhisattva, wearing a moon headdress, is on the left. Both Bodhisattvas sit in relaxed posture with a bare foot resting on a lotus pedestal. Beside their aureoles, there are images of small children and Bodhisattvas making offerings. On both sides above the triad, there are Bodhisattvas standing in two lines.