Mogao Cave 45

Mogao Cave 45 was built during High Tang Dynasty (705-781 AD). This cave has a truncated pyramidal ceiling and a west niche with a flat ceiling. This niche has a seven-figure group consisting of Sakyamuni, Ananda, Kasyapa, two Bodhisattva attendants, and two lokapalas, which are better preserved except individual arm or fingers are damaged. The central Buddha has a round face is seated with right hand raised up and left hand on left knee. The outer robe, which wraps the two legs, hangs over from the throne. Ananda is shaped young and handsome with smooth skin, and his waist bends slightly inwards. On the contrary, Kasyapa was sculptured as a skinny weather-beaten elder with frowned eyebrows, bright eyes, protruding clavicle and breastbones. The inward bent heads of the two Bodhisattvas have towering hair chignons, and the naked upper bodies are smooth but not plump. The lokapalas in armor next to the Bodhisattvas each stands on a demon with clenched fists supporting the waist. The one on the north side in particular looks as if he is roaring with frowned eyebrows, wide eyes nd wide-opened mouth. The facial muscle is tense but not stiff, and armor in a certain thickness with delicate carving suggesting its metal or leather quality.
Chapter of Universal Gate of Avalokitesvara depicted on the south wall is also one of the popular wall paintings. The central standing Avalokitesvara image with luxuriant jade-like ornaments under a magnificent parasol reflects the fervent belief for Avalokitesvara at that time. On two sides are scenes of Avalokitesvara rescuing people out of various tribulations in thirty-three transformations. Both religious and secular figures are treated natural and true to life. The deep-eyed and tall-nosed foreign merchants, the prison being strictly guarded and the ship set sailing are all the themes from the real life, and are visual materials for studying the social life history in the Tang dynasty.
The whole north wall is devoted to the illustration of the Apanimitayus Sutra with side scenes of Queen Vaidehi and of the story of King of Bimbisara and Ajatasatru. To our regret, the lowest scenes of the murals on the four walls are heavily damaged.