Tuopulukedun Temple 1: Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas

CHINA, Xinjiang, Hotan

This mural was discovered in 2000 at Tuopulukedun Temple 1 in Xinjiang. Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas are both painted on the left side of the east wall, flanking a central image of Amitabha Buddha. Avalokitesvara stands on the left beside the Buddha. The Bodhisattva has a nimbus composed of colored rings and wears a necklace, a bracelet, and a stole. The right hand is held up in front of the chest with the palm facing outwards. Mahasthamaprapta, with narrowed eyes, is on the right. The Bodhisattva’s right hand is held in a fist in front of the chest. The figures are painted with black lines of uniform thickness and are sparsely colored, characteristics of Gandharan style.