Yulin Cave 25

Yulin Cave 25 was built in the Middle Tang Dynasty (781-848AD). Cave 25 has a front chamber and a main chamber with a truncated pyramidal ceiling. The Maitreya Sutra illustration on the north wall mainly contains scenes of the three assemblies of Maiueya in a background formed by mountains, streams and trees. The lower part represents the shaving scenes of King Sankha with his sons and ministers, which are flanked by scenes of the marriage of women at the age of 500 years old and an old man entering into grave by himself. The painted grave, the women decorated with flower-shaped ornaments and the hosts in Tibetan-styled costumes are all visual materials for understanding the social customs at Dunhuang during the Tibetan occupation. In the Aparimitayus Sutra illustration, Amitabha is seated in the center under the magnificent hall, flanked by Avalokitesvara, Mahasthamaprapta. Above are musicians and flying apsarasas scatter ing flowers, and below between the carved railings and waterside pavilions is a singing kalavinka. The whole picture appears peaceful and prosperous.
On the east wall is a mandala of Vairocana with eight Bodhisattvas, and on the two sides of the west wall are illustrations of Manjusri and Samnntahhadra followed by attendants holding banners , and below them is a dark-skinned driver. On the whole, the strict composition, the well-arranged figures, and the thick and harmonious colors demonstrate that it is an outstanding work among Dunhuang Grottoes murals.