On the Function of Buddhist Paintings on the Western Walls of Mogao Caves from the Sui and Early Tang Dynasties
Mogao cave 57 is typical of caves built during the first phase of construction at this site during the Early Tang dynasty.To the left and right of the lower panel in the front of the outer niche,respectively,a bodhisattva sitting under a tree with feet together and a pensive bodhisattva sitting in the semi-lotus position on a rattan seat are depicted.This and similar combinations of bodhisattva images had previously appeared in illustrations from construction phase two of the Sui dynasty and were closely associated with depictions of Maitreya.However,paintings from the later Tang dynasty of people being reborn into the Pure Land depicted on the ceiling in cave 57 are noticeably different from similar illustrations of the Sui dynasty.The theme of the Three Buddhas of the Three Ages,formed by the Past Buddha Amitabha,the Present Buddha Sakyamuni and the Future Buddha Maitreya,changed between the Sui and the Early Tang dynasties.The most important difference is that the preaching scenes under the trees painted on both the southern and northern walls not only depict the Buddhas of the Three Ages,but also scenes of regular people being reborn into the Pure Land.In addition,whereas in the phase one caves of the Early Tang where Maitreya was depicted as a Buddha seated in a treasure pond,in cave 322,which dates to a later period of the same phase of construction,only Amitabha Buddha depicted on the north wall is sitting in a pond,and there is no pond below the image of Maitreya Buddha.Scriptural analysis has concluded that this is because there is no pond in the Pure Land of Maitreya.In cave 57,as in cave 322,the Buddha depicted on the north wall sits on a lotus throne growing out of a treasure pond,while the Buddha on the south wall sits in a treasure pond without lotus leaves or flowers.Because of the details described above,it can be inferred that the central Buddha on the south wall was likely painted with Maitreya Buddha in mind,even though the position of its legs is slightly different from traditional depictions.
cave 57cave 322images of bodhisattvas sitting with both feet togetherpensive bodhisattva imagebelief in being reborn into the Pure Land
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