Mogao Cave 17: Illustration of the Returning Favors Sutra

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty

This illustration, discovered in Mogao Cave 17, portrays the Buddha expounding the Returning Favors Sutra to an assembly of Bodhisattvas, disciples, and heavenly beings on a platform situated in a lotus pond. The Buddha sits in lotus position on a high lotus throne. The surrounding Bodhisattvas and disciples all have nimbuses and gaze towards the Buddha. An altar and a dancing figure are painted below the lotus throne. There are two lotus-born children in the pond. In the lower register, heavenly musicians sit on a platform playing various instruments. Small trees bloom above the musicians. In the upper register, Buddhas sit on clouds above a heavenly palace. A decorative drapery is painted along the top.
The side panels consist of narrative scenes, each explained by a caption within a cartouche. The scene in the top left corner illustrates a story about a doe that becomes pregnant after drinking the water left from an ascetic’s laundry washing. This is followed by a depiction of Prince Virtuous Going to Sea. On the right, there are scenes from the Prince Sujata Jataka. All of these small scenes are separated from one another by natural landscapes and from the central panel by black decorative stripes. The sponsors of this painting, shown in the bottom corners, include a lady identified as Meng on the left, and monastics on the right.
Despite damage and wear, the colors in this detailed illustration are still visible. The buildings are symmetrically arranged according to the layout of Tang dynasty Buddhist temples, with covered walkways connecting the gateway, the central hall, and the two-story buildings on the sides. The topknot, clothing, and accessories of the female donor suggest that the painting dates from the 8th century.