Mogao Cave 432

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang

This central pillar cave is located in the south area. It was constructed during the Western Wei dynasty (535–556) and restored during the Western Xia period (1032–1227). The ceiling is gabled at the front and flat at the rear with a square central pillar. On the east side of the pillar is a niche which houses a Buddha seated with legs pendent and has a Bodhisattva standing to each side outside the niche. The north, south, and west sides of the pillar each contain two tiers of niches. The upper niches contain a Buddha and four Bodhisattvas while the lower niches contain a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas.
The illustrations on the four walls, the ceiling, and the central pillar were painted during the Five Dynasties (907–960) and Western Xia period. Draperies line the top of the walls, Thousand Buddha images occupy the center, and offerings are at the bottom. Flower motifs on the ceiling of the cave were added during the Western Xia period, and below the gabled ceiling on the north and south walls are lotuses and flying apsaras. Illustrations from the Western Wei dynasty have been revealed beneath damaged sections of the south wall.