Mogao Cave 17: Frontispiece of the Diamond Sutra

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Five Dynasties

Found in Mogao Cave 17, this frontispiece of the Diamond Sutra dates from the early 10th century.
Considered to be one of the most important Buddhist scriptures, the Diamond Sutra contains over 5,000 characters divided into 32 chapters, and records a dialogue between Sakyamuni Buddha and Subhuti on the discussion of emptiness. This teaching, which took place in Jetavana Grove in Sravasti, was given upon Subhuti’s request. In one of the most famous passages, the Buddha states that “all conditioned Dharmas are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow; like dew and like lightning, thus should they be perceived.”
The Buddha sits on a lotus throne teaching the Dharma. Four Bodhisattvas and two disciples stand beside the throne, listening earnestly with joined palms. Subhuti kneels piously in front of an altar and gazes towards the Buddha. Flowering trees are painted in the background.
The basic composition of this painting is similar to the Frontispiece of the Diamond Sutra, a woodblock print which dates from 868 and is presently kept in the British Library. This simple frontispiece differs from other sutra illustrations that usually feature more majestic designs. Unlike most other Buddhist paintings, the central figure is not emphasized.