Mogao Cave 432: Buddha Triad

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Western Wei dynasty

These statues are on the east side of the central pillar. The group includes a Buddha and two attendant Bodhisattvas. The Buddha is seated with legs pendent inside a niche. The hands form the vitarka(teaching) mudra and he wears a monastic robe which crosses the left shoulder. The folds of the garment form a regular wave-like pattern. Behind the Buddha, the nimbus and mandorla have flame patterns. Two attendant Bodhisattvas stand outside the niche, also with flame-patterned nimbuses. The Bodhisattvas wear tall crowns and earrings which extend to their shoulders, and are bare-chested with long stoles draped over their shoulders. The statues are in remarkably good condition; the colors are fresh and match those in the surrounding murals. The niche lintel is painted with honeysuckle branches, lotuses, and pheasant motifs. The two sides of the niche are composed of columns with dragons at the top and are embellished with winding lotus stalks below. Above the niche are sculpted numerous Bodhisattvas who kneel with one leg to make offerings.