Mogao Cave 57

Mogao Cave 57 was built in early Tang Dynasty (618-704AD), which has the most Beautiful Bodhisattva image at the Mogao Grottoes.
This is a small cave with a square main hall and a truncated pyramidal ceiling. The two-stage large niche in west wall follows the Sui style and contains a seated Buddha in paryankabandha gesture, which is flanked by Bodhisanvas and bhiksus. The sculptures remain the original Early Tang bearings though heavily restored. On the upper part outside the niche are scenes of the Conception and the Great Departure.
A preaching scene of Amitabha is painted in the center of the south wall surrounded by thousand-Buddha motifs. The central image seated on a lotus throne is in patched red kasaya with right shoulder exposed, flanked by Avalokitesvara to the left and Mahasthamaprapta to the right. Avalokitesvara wears a crown with a small transformed Buddha image and all kinds of jade-like ornaments including armlets and wristlets that are painted in a technique named "Lifenduijin", looking noble and magnificent. With slightly downcast eyes and inward-bent body, This image mirrors a charming lady of the East. Mahasthamaprapta extends his right hand outwards and left hand upwards, looking free and elegant. Behind the triad are images of two bhiksus, eight Bodhisanvas and two guardians, some of them bend their bodies as if listening attentively and some gather together as if whispering. The three holy ones are painted in large size, while the other figures are relatively small. A Chinese traditional shading technique is applied here using red color to halo the eyelids and two cheeks so as to make the figures vigorous and freshly.
On the north wall is also a preaching scene of Amitahha. In which the central image is seated on a lotus base flanked by bhiksus and Bodhisarrvas, and below is a precious lake of riffles. On the top are apsarasas similar to those in the Golden Hall of the Honyuji Temple in Japan.