tour 3 of 19
The 'Caves of the Thousand Buddhas'
The Buddhist Paintings
During the thousand years of artistic activity
at Mogao, the style of the wall paintings and sculptures changed,
in part a reflection of the influences that reached it along the
Silk Road. The early caves show greater Indian and Western
influence, while during the Tang dynasty (AD 618-906) the influence
of the latest Chinese painting styles of the imperial court is
evident. During the tenth century, Dunhuang became more isolated
and the organisation of a local painting academy led to mass
production of paintings with a unique
style.
The art also
reflects the changes in religious belief and ritual at the pilgrim
site. In the early caves,
jataka
stories were commonly depicted. During the Tang dynasty, Pure Land
Buddhism became very popular. This promoted the Buddha Amitabha,
who helped the believer achieve rebirth in his Western Paradise,
where even sinners are permitted, sitting within closed lotus buds
listening to the heavenly sounds and the sermon of the Buddha,
thereby purifying
themselves.
Various
Paradise paintings decorate the walls of the cave temples of this
period, each representing the realm of a different Buddha. Their
Paradises were shown in sumptuous Chinese palace settings.
Simplified versions of these buildings appear on banners depicting
bodhisattvas showing
donors on their way to Paradise.