Mogao Cave 427: Trikaya Buddhas

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Sui dynasty

These figures are located on the east side of the central pillar and on the north and south walls of the main chamber. They represent the Trikaya Buddhas: Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, and Nirmanakaya. Each of them are accompanied by two attendant Bodhisattvas. The Dharmakaya Buddha is on the east side of the central pillar, the Sambhogakaya Buddha is on the south wall, and the Nirmanakaya Buddha is on the north wall.
All three groups of statues stand on circular lotus pedestals. The Buddhas are approximately 4 m high and have round faces, low usnisas, and small mouths with smiles. They wear red monastic robes with exposed shoulders and their garments are carved with subtle, flowing lines. Compared with the statues of the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534), the faces have assumed more obvious Han Chinese characteristics. The attendant Bodhisattvas are approximately 3.62 m high and wear headdresses over their round, full faces. They are adorned with stoles and jade necklaces. Their robes cross the left shoulder, and long brocaded garments cover their lower bodies.