Dunhuang Mogao Cave 45

This shrine cave is located in the northern section of the south area. This High Tang (712–756) cave consists of an antechamber and a main chamber linked by a corridor. The murals in the antechamber and corridor were repainted during the Five Dynasties (907–960). The center of the ceiling in the antechamber displays a Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara. The Bodhisattva is depicted again on the south wall, and Cintamanicakra Avalokitesvara is on the north wall. On the back (west) wall is a painting of Vaisravana, Heavenly King of the North. Remnants of sutra illustrations are found on both the walls of the corridor.

The main chamber has a truncated pyramidal ceiling and a niche on the back wall. The ceiling has a floral caisson in the center and the four slopes are covered with Thousand Buddha images. The niche has a flat ceiling and contains the statues of a Buddha, two disciples, two Bodhisattvas, and two Heavenly Kings. The plump figures have bright and lively demeanors, emblematic of the style adopted in the High Tang period, and are exceptional examples of painted sculpture of the period.

The ceiling of the niche illustrates the “Chapter on the Emergence of the Prabhutaratna Pagoda” from the Lotus Sutra. In the center of the illustration are Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Buddhas seated side-by-side within the Prabhutaratna Pagoda, surrounded by a multitude of Bodhisattvas. On either side of the niche are Mid-Tang (756–846) depictions of Avalokitesvara and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattvas.

The north and south walls of the main chamber display illustrations of the Amitayurdhyana Sutra and the “Universal Gateway Chapter” from the Lotus Sutra, respectively. In the center of the Amitayurdhyana Sutra illustration is Amitabha Buddha, flanked by Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas. Heavenly beings surround the three figures, along with musicians and lotus-born children of the Western Pure Land. Side panels illustrate the story of Ajatasatru and the Sixteen Contemplations. In the center of the south wall is an image of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and to each side are illustrations of the “Universal Gateway Chapter,” including the stories of Avalokitesvara Rescuing People from Danger and the Thirty-Three Manifestations of the Bodhisattva. Mid-Tang portraits of the Ksitigarbha and Avalokitesvara are found to the left of the doorway on the front (east) wall, and on the right side is another image of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.