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Feitian: Apsaras Flying In Front Of Tree West Wall of Mogao Cave 321Early Tang Dynasty One compelling, and often seemingly otherworldly, being that is depicted in the Buddhist murals throughout the 800 years is the Feitian (in Chinese), or "sky spirit". In Dunhuang art,...

Amitayurdhyana Sutra Illustration South Wall of Mogao Cave 112Mid Tang Dynasty The Amitayurdhyana Sutra had been one of the most popular themes. Normally, a mural based on this sutra would center on the depiction of the Pure Land under the leadership of Amitayus, the...

Amitayurdhyana Sutra Illustration South Wall of Yulin Cave 25High Tang Dynasty Amitayurdhyana Sutra, one of the principal sutras in Pure Land Buddhism, which was a major theme for Mogao caves from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.).

Samantabhadra Illustration West Wall of Yulin Cave 3Western Xia Dynasty This cave was constructed in the later period when Guazhou was ruled by the Western Xia. With the diversified contents and art of both exotic and esoteric Buddhism, supported respectively by Chinese and the...

The narrative story paintings of the Nine-colored Deer Jataka West Wall of Mogao Cave 257Northern Wei Dynasty On the upper part are images of sixteen heavenly musicians, below them are the thousand Buddhas in the center of which is a preaching scene, and at...

Maitreya Sutra Illustration North Wall of Yulin Cave 25High Tang Dynasty The Maitreya Sutra Illustration is based on the "Maitreya's Descent to Becoming a Buddha Sutra". In the middle of the depiction, it shows Maitreya giving teachings under the Dragon Flower Tree after attaining...

Feitian: Musician Apsaras Flying Ceiling of Mogao Cave 329Early Tang Dynasty One compelling, and often seemingly otherworldly, being that is depicted in the Buddhist murals throughout the 800 years is the Feitian (in Chinese), or "sky spirit". In Dunhuang art, feitian inhabit their own...