A Study on the Recording of Merit in Dunhuang Caves from the Gui-yi-jun Regime Period——A Case Study on Attendants Holding Bows in Illustrations of Donor Figures
In caves 85,100,121,196,203,205,244,397,401,427,444 and 454 of the Mogao Grottoes,and in caves 12,16,19 and 34 of the Yulin Grottoes,the portraits of cave donors that include known historical figures such as Suo Xun,Cao Yijin and Li Shengtian(the King of Khotan)are painted either on the south or the north wall of the corridors,or in other similar positions,and are often depicted with attendants holding bows and arrows behind them.The bows and arrows these figures hold are likely rewards given to them by the emperor,and their presence in the caves can be seen as representing a visual record of the donors'merits.
Gui-yi-jun Regime periodDunhuang Cavesattendants holding bowsrecording of merit
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