Mogao Cave 205

Mogao Cave 205 was built during early Tang Dynasty (617-704AD). This cave, with a square main hall and a truncated pyramidal ceiling, was first constructed in Early Tang, and reconstructed in High Tang, Middle Tang and Five Dynasties. A square altar is in the center on which stands a nine-figure group consisting of one Buddha, two bhiksus, two Bodhisattvas, two Bodhisanva attendants and [wo Middle Tang guardians. These sculptures are all made in three dimensions and exhibit the extraordinary lifelike painting and sculpting techniques of ancient masters. The chest and the belly of the Bodhisattva seated with one leg pendent and one leg crossed on the south side is sculpted full but not fat, and the pendent skirt covering the lower body light and natural. Even the landscape on the kasayas of simple and delicate.
The ceiling center is a motif of three rabbits* similar to that in Sui cave 407 in composition. On four slopes are strips of thousand-Buddha motifs with each Buddha inside a stupa.